Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1292
September 27, 2013
Great Places For Kids To Eat At Walt Disney World
• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest
Home of more than 100 restaurants, the Walt Disney World Resort is certainly not low on options of places to eat while on vacation. With countless varieties of cuisine, themed locations, and price ranges, however, it can be challenging to narrow down the best of the best – especially if you’re traveling with kids. Aside from the popular character dining meals (check out this recent post by Brian McNichols regarding their value) and the standard “chicken fingers and fries” option at a counter service…what’s a family to do?
The Coral Reef Restaurant, Epcot.
Well, fear not! The following is a top-5 list (along with some honorable mentions) of the best picks for kids dining. I include a variety of both counter and table service options, as well as a spectrum of price ranges and locations (both in and outside of the theme parks). Participation in the Disney Dining Plan and/or Tables in Wonderland or other discounts is noted based on the most recent updates on TouringPlans.com.
Kids Pick #5: The Coral Reef Restaurant (Table Service)
Although most guests consider the star dining attractions of the park on the World Showcase side of Epcot, The Coral Reef is a lovely retreat from the scorching heat outdoors, and boasts a varied menu that centers around artfully prepared seafood (though other options, including steaks and pasta are available for guests not so inclined). For kids, pizza, grilled chicken breast, roasted pork tenderloin and grilled fish of the day are all options set at $8.99 (plus tax) and include a beverage.
While the reviews for food served at The Coral Reef are often mixed, most can agree that the enchantment of seeing fish, turtles and even sharks and divers swim by is something special. Guests are advised that there are three tiers of seating (see image above) for optimal viewing throughout the restaurant, but requests may be made upon arrival at the podium for a closer-up look based on availability.
Meals Served: Lunch and Dinner
Tables in Wonderland: yes, 20% discount. Disney Dining Plan: 1 credit per person.
Alternative pick in Epcot: Teppan Edo (Table Service) - located on the second floor of the Japan pavilion, this dining location features high-flying food antics, fun for kids of all ages. Kids menu options range from $9 to $13.50.
Kids Pick #4: Liberty Tree Tavern (Table Service)
Stepping into the Liberty Tree Tavern is just like stepping back into time. From the colonial artwork, to the creaky floors, it’s easy to forget just where you are when dining here.
Kids enjoy a variety of complete options for lunch, including: Roasted Turkey, Macaroni & Cheese, Pasta with Marinara Sauce, Barbecue Chicken and Pineapple Flatbread, served with a beverage and even a desert choice (apples, seasonal fruit or ice cream sundae) for $8.59 (plus tax).
At dinnertime, the restaurant converts to an all-you-care-to eat family-style feast, featuring: salad, turkey, carved beef, sliced pork, mashed potatoes, veggies, stuffing, macaroni & cheese plus ‘Johnny Appleseed Cake’ ala mode! This serving format allows for a meal as big as the family has an appetite for, and is great for pickier eaters.
Due to its location in Liberty Square, Liberty Tree Tavern is a popular place to dine around parade times – plan your mealtime right and you can walk right out to see the cavalcade come by after your meal!
Meals Served: Lunch and Dinner
Tables in Wonderland: yes, 20% discount. Disney Dining Plan: 1 credit per person.
Alternative pick in Magic Kingdom: Pecos Bill’s Tell Tale Inn (Counter Service) – just down the ‘road’ from Liberty Tree Tavern, Pecos Bill’s boasts an incredibly large dining area (making it easy to find somewhere to sit even in the peak parts of the day) and features a tasty fixings bar to customize your burger or taco salad, which includes peppers, pickles, sautéed onions, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese – and even hot melty cheese. Kids picks range from $5.49 to $5.99 and include a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, turkey sandwich, or hamburger.
Hidden Mickey on a mural at Pizzafari – do you see it?
Kids Pick #3: Pizzafari (Counter Service)
Although guests with the most discerning of pizza-palates may leave somewhat unimpressed by the cuisine at Pizzafari, the true gem of this location is the attention to detail throughout. When dining at slower times, kids can learn more about each themed room of the restaurant; the Nocturnal Room, Upside Down Room, and Camouflage rooms are just a few of the options!
Also worthy of note: this location opens early and offers breakfast platters and french toast for kids, as well as oatmeal, cereal, paninis and fritatta for adults, so if you missed your early meal, you can stop in to charge up for your park day here.
Meals Served: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Tables in Wonderland: yes, 20% discount. Disney Dining Plan: 1 credit per person (note: since Disney’s Animal Kingdom features a small amount of Table Service Restaurants, most Counter Locations accept TiW – see the website for more complete details).
Alternative pick in Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Flame Tree Barbecue - with gazebo seating and tranquil views of Discovery Island and the surrounding areas, this location is both yummy and relaxing. Though it’s outside, kids will love looking for birds and other visiting animals while noshing on finger-licking fare.
Kids Pick #2: TIE – 50′s Prime Time Cafe / Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant (both Table Service)
It was difficult to chose just one of the highly immersive dining experiences at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – and for several reasons:
Both locations feature a wide variety of menu choices
Each offers a unique flair
Theming/atmosphere often fit certain personalities better than the other
Confused? Well, don’t be! Let’s break it down:
50′s Prime Time is highly interactive – all servers welcome you to the restaurant as members of their own family, referring to themselves as “Aunt Lilly,” “Uncle Bob,” or “Grandma Barb,” whilst dolling out proper ettiquette tips (“elbows off the table!”) and serving you at tables with black & white TV’s playing shows from the era. While this can be an incredibly fun experience for more outgoing kids/families, it could be stressful for others – see this past blog post by Kristen Helmstetter for more.
Sci-Fi Drive In is over-the-top themed to resemble a drive-in movie theater at night – complete with dining in cars, and servers in rollerskates. The movie screen features clips of vintage horror and sci-fi films, and, true to its theming, the dining area is very dark – factors that could make the experience frightening for very young guests. See this past blog post by Stacey Lantz for more.
Kids meals (which include entree, veg/side, beverage and dessert) at 50′s Prime Time are set at $8.59 (plus tax) and include entrees featuring Grilled Fish, Whole Wheat Penne Pasta, Meatloaf, Chicken Nuggets, Grilled Hot Dog, Macaroni & Cheese, and Grilled Chicken Strips. At Sci-Fi, meals are just a tad high priced at $8.99 (plus tax) and options include: Macaroni & Cheese, Cheeseburger, Hot Dog, Chicken Nuggets, Grilled Chicken Breast and Whole Wheat Penne Pasta.
One more fun fact that both locations share? Delicious milkshakes! 50′s Prime Time has the “you’ve got to try it to believe it” PB&J shake, while parents and other 21+ guests can enjoy adult shakes, complete with glow cubes.
Meals Served: Lunch and Dinner
Tables in Wonderland: yes, 20% discount. Disney Dining Plan: 1 credit per person
Alternative pick in Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Backlot Express - although this location is quite conspicuous, it may sometimes be overlooked due to its placement in the park (Echo Lake area, between the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular Show and Star Tours). It made this list for three reasons: a yummy kids menu (“Power Pack” option with Strawberry Yogurt, Carrots, Goldfish Crackers, String Cheese and a Chocolate Chip Cookie, Chicken Nuggets and a Kids Grilled Vegetable Sandwich), options for both outdoor and indoor seating, and tons of space to explore (props, sets, etc).
Kids Pick #1: T-REX Cafe (Table Service)
One of two locations in the United States, T-REX Cafe (operated by Landry’s restaurants) serves a true venue for “eat-ertainment” for kids of all ages. Similar in menu / format as its sister restaurant, Rainforest Cafe, its main goal is simple: serve up everything larger than life: from portion size to over-the-top atmosphere!
Kids love it because it’s non-stop fun – from the Paleo Zone where kids can dig to their hearts content, to the gift shop with Build-a-Dino toys, and the huge kids menu (all entrees are $7.99 or under) that includes pasta, chicken, burgers, corn dogs, popcorn shrimp and even ribs, the wide appeal will make parents and kids smile.
Meals Served: Lunch and Dinner
Tables in Wonderland: no. Disney Dining Plan: 1 credit per person, other discounts: DVC /WDW Annual Passholder: 10% discount.
Alternative pick in Downtown Disney: Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant (Table Service) - contrary to the belief of many Americans, the pub environment of Raglan Road is not only family-friendly, it’s kid recommended! I read a review written by a 10-year old named Ben on his blog that really blew anything I could ever say out of the water, but in summation: there’s tasty food at reasonable prices ($14 for kids steak, which is the priciest kids’ entree), fantastic entertainment, and excellent service.
—
…so, what did we miss? Do you and your family have your favorite places to eat at Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
Share on Facebook
Retweet this
Great Places For Kids To Eat At Walt Disney World is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
September 26, 2013
New Details About the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest
Earlier this year, Disney announced that the Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade at Magic Kingdom would be replaced by the upcoming Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade. More details have trickled out today via the Disney Parks Blog.
First off, Disney revealed two new parade floats, in addition to the three that had previously been seen (the Mickey and Minnie float, the Tangled float, and the Peter Pan float). These new floats are a Little Mermaid float with Ariel and her Under the Sea friends, as we all as Merida atop a bagpipe alongside a troupe of Scottish dancers. (Look out for her three brothers, too!)
©Disney
©Disney
As I previously mentioned in another post, the Celebrate the Magic Parade comes to an end after its performance on December 20. Throughout the holidays, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade will be shown daily. Then the Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade will have a couple of special finale performances scheduled from January 1-4.
After January 4, 2014, there will not be traditional afternoon parade at Magic Kingdom until the Disney Festival of Fantasy parade officially debuts in the spring of 2014 (no exact date as of yet), but guests will still be able to enjoy the Move It, Shake It Celebrate It Street Party and the Main Street Electrical Parade.
Share on Facebook
Retweet this
New Details About the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
REVISED Halloween Horror Nights XXIII Touring Plan
• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest
On 9/20/2013, the 23rd annual edition of Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights unleashed its undead hordes upon horror-hungry fans who have made HHN the nation's most popular and industry-awarded haunted theme park event. Touring Plans researchers have attended all event nights so far to capture data on attraction wait times in order to present this updated itinerary, and we'll continue to improve our advice with new information throughout the month.
Originally a locals-friendly filler during a normally slow season, Universal Studios Florida's Halloween celebration has grown so famous that the 27 event nights between 9/20 and 11/2 will provide a sizable percentage of USF's annual attendance statistics. Much like visiting any of Orlando's theme parks during a peak holiday season, an evening at HHN can be tremendous fun if you go in with a solid plan and sane expectations; without those things…well, you might be better off eaten by zombies…
With only two nights worth of wait time data to analyze, it's impossible to craft an HHN touring plan with the same precision we do for daytime visits. Operational tweaks will continue to be made throughout the event, so the crowd patterns observed during this year's initial operating nights aren't guaranteed to persist. However, thanks to years of experience with HHN (I've attended every edition since 1996) we can extrapolate the opening weekend info to update our preliminary touring plan into a multi-pronged strategy for tackling Universal's elaborate (and infamously long-queued) haunted mazes.
Part I: Before The Event Night
Before beginning, make sure Universal's brand of Halloween is right for you; this ain't Mickey's Not-So-Scary. If the idea of copious blood, guts, and booze doesn't appeal, I advise staying far, far away. Needless to say, it is not appropriate for young children, though you will likely see many there.
For a taste, check out this video from the opening night media presentation, featuring a house-by-house preview with Universal Creative's. Mike Aiello and Lora Wallace, plus a Q&A with American Werewolf in London director John Landis:
And here are a couple more videos previews, including a walk-through of the Walking Dead haunted house.
Pick the right night.
Even more so than daytime touring, a successful HHN visit requires careful date selection. In short, avoid all Saturdays (especially 10/12, 10/19, and 10/26) like the plague. Fridays in October — particularly 10/18 & 25 — aren't much better. Wednesday nights (10/16 & 10/23) are usually the least crowded, followed by Thursdays (especially 10/3) and Sundays (excluding 10/20). The last three nights of the event should also be extremely quiet, especially Halloween night itself and Nov 1. The price of express tickets on a given night is your best guide to how busy it will be: the larger the cost, the larger the crowds.
Buy a pass in advance.
If you walk up to the box-office on the night of the event, you'll pay $91.99 plus tax — a frightening sum for a little as 5-1/2 hours in the park — and likely wait in a ridiculously long line for the privilege. Instead, study the myriad online ticket options in advance and purchase before you leave home.
Deep discounts (up to $49 off) are offered online to Florida and Georgia residents with coupon codes from Coca-Cola cans or Burger King cups. If you aren't eligible for those, consider getting an annual pass, which entitles you to even deeper price breaks and early event entry during Passholder parties on select nights.
Finally, if you are a hard-core haunt fan and spending more than a night in the area, you'll want a Frequent Fear (valid every Sunday through Thursday event night, with Fridays included in the Plus version for an extra fee) or Rush of Fear (valid every event night through 10/6) multi-day pass.
Tip: You can buy a Rush of Fear and upgrade it to a Frequent Fear on or before 10/6 for maximum value.
HHN passholders can also sign up for the Legendary Truth interactive game at hhn23experience.com and retrieve and RFID identification tag near the park exit; points are earned by visiting haunted houses and solving online puzzles.
Consider Universal's HHN Express Pass
Universal Orlando's paid line-skipping service is a welcome luxury during the day, but an absolute lifesaver at night. On peak HHN nights, queues for the haunted houses will approach 3 hours, and even on the slowest nights they will hit 60 minutes. HHN Express passes reduce that wait to between 25% and 33% of what it would otherwise be, which can make the difference between experiencing 2 or 3 houses in a night, or visiting 7 or 8. The only catch is that Express starts at $50 per person, and goes up to $100 depending on the night. Express is also available as an add-on for Rush of Fear or Frequent Fear multi-night passes. Express passes often sell out and may be more expensive or or unavailable inside the park, so if you do want them buy in advance.
Bottom Line: On off-peak nights it is perfectly possible to experience all 8 houses and at least one show without Express. It is even doable on nights of moderate attendance with some hustling, especially if you use Stay & Scream early entry. On peak nights it is virtually impossible to do the same without Express passes, and can be challenging with them.
If you're feeling particularly flush, and fed up with any kind of queue, an RIP guided tour will whisk you to the head of every line for only $110 and up, admission not included. When money is no object and you want to feel like a VIP, the tours are highly recommended. And for the superfans, you can have one of Universal's designers accompany you through the event on an Arcane Insights Tour ($240), or take daytime light-on trips through three houses on each of the two Unmasking the Horror behind-the-scenes tours ($60 each, $100 for both).
Part II: On The Event Night
1. Arrive as early as possible.
The event officially begins each evening at 6:30 p.m., but the front gates typically open by 6 p.m. If you have an HHN ticket but not daytime admission, you'll want to be outside the park gates, ticket in hand, by 5:45 p.m. At the latest on slow nights, and as early as 5 p.m. on peak nights. (Be sure to leave ample time for I-4 traffic and parking, which is costs $16 until 8 p.m. and $5 until 10 p.m.)
This way you'll be among the first through the security checkpoints which can slow entry down for latecomers; if you travel light (highly recommended) look for the much swifter “no bags” security check to the left of the entry arches. Once through the checkpoint, secure a spot as close to the turnstiles as possible; don't be shy about lining up at the temporary entry scanners at the center gate.
Early arrivals also get a view of the gate-opening performance, which involves a survivor shouting to the crowd from the balcony above the right-hand ticket booths, and a swarm of walkers assaulting the opening gates. Don't worry if you miss this minor event; it's a nice touch but not essential.
Better yet, be inside the park already before it opens to the general public for the evening and get a jump on the guests outside the gates by taking advantage of Stay & Scream. The park closes to daytime guests at 5 p.m. on event nights, but anyone holding a ticket for that night's HHN is allowed to remain inside the park in designated holding areas. You do not necessarily have to purchase a specific “Stay & Scream” ticket to participate; anyone can access this opportunity if they have any valid daytime park ticket, are an annual passholder, or purchase a Scream Early ticket to enter Universal Studios Florida after 3 p.m. Note that the park is officially open for regular operations until 5 p.m., but you'll want to enter before 4:30 p.m. to avoid dealing with the evening security setup.
Between the park's closing and reopening, guests remaining in the park are confined to one of three Stay & Scream locations:
The KidZone section near E.T. features priority access to the first two haunted houses that open each evening. Guests in this area can queue as early as 4 p.m., and can enter the Walking Dead and La Llorna houses at 5 p.m. Guests are released from the area at 5:45 p.m., and can be the first inside Afterlife which also opens at that time. There is a limited selection of food and drink vendors available in this location. Note that on 9/27 and 9/28 this area is restricted to annual Passholders who have registered online for an exclusive Passholder event.
The New York area holding area includes Finnegan's bar , which offers a full liquor bar and table service food, though reservations are impossible to secure between 4 and 7 p.m. Guests here are released between 5:30 and 5:45 p.m., giving them first crack at three of the four soundstage houses (excluding Evil Dead, which doesn't open until 6:30 p.m.
Finally, there is also a small overflow holding area in Hollywood, but it doesn't provide early access to any of the houses, and is not recommended. You can't even see the opening moment at the gates from here, and there are minimal refreshment options.
2. Attack the houses.
Your first hour at the event is essential to making the most of evening, and your initial plan of attack is determined by which location you start your night from:
Early Entry Option A: KidZone
Thanks to a popular intellectual property, this year's The Walking Dead: No Safe Haven maze (marked “H” on the map, enter near E.T.) is one of the event's most popular (and a major improvement over last year's WD maze), so if you are among the first inside the KidZone Stay & Scream area queue up for Walking Dead as soon as allowed. The exit of Walking Dead leads directly to the entrance of the aesthetically astounding Urban Legends: La Llorna (“G”, near Barney) which conveniently is your second stop. Alternatively, if you are late entering the holding area, the queue for Walking Dead may already be posted at an hour or more. In that case do La Llorna first, saving Walking Dead for later the early entry period (the wait should diminish rapidly) or late in the evening.
After that comes the 3-D blacklight prison funhouse Afterlife: Death's Vengance (“F”), whose line starts near the Men In Black bathrooms. This house opens at 5:45 p.m., when guests are released from the holding area. If you follow this plan, you can complete 3 houses by 6 p.m., at which point all the other houses (except Evil Dead) should open.
Early Entry Option B: Finnegan's
Enter the New York holding area between 4 and 5 p.m. (The earlier the better if you want to eat) and relax with a beverage until released around 5:45. You will have a short head start on everyone else for three of the soundstage houses, so head first the wildly imaginative post-modern gorefest Cabin in the Woods (“A”, near Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem) which quickly builds one of the evening's longest lines.
Follow up with An American Werewolf in London (“C”, enter through Twister), consensus pick as best maze of 2013 (and perhaps ever) thanks to amazing puppets and effects. Resident Evil is a treat for fans of the video games (specifically second and third set in Raccoon City) but a little too short and colorful to be scary for non-gamers. Beware of lining up early for the excellent Evil Dead (“D”, by the New York Public Library) based on the hardcore 2013 remake; it doesn't open until 6:30 p.m. so you'll waste valuable touring time in an unmoving line when you could be seeing other houses.
Once the general public is admitted through the front gates (as early as 6 p.m.) queues at the soundstage houses will swiftly build; see as many as you can until waits exceed 20 minutes, then proceed to Havoc 2: Derailed (“E”, enter near Beetlejuice) between the New York and San Francisco areas. This partially-outdoor house is better seen after sunset, and isn't one of the event's stronger mazes, so don't sweat it if you save it for later.
Standard Entry
If you are among the first folks through the gates when they open around 6:00 p.m., head straight to Cabin in the Woods and jump in line if it is still 15 minutes or less. Otherwise, the majority of guests will mob the four houses located in the sound stages near the front of the park. You should avoid the horde by heading in the opposite direction, towards KidZone, which should have processed the majority of it's stay & scream guests by now.
Visit Walking Dead if the wait isn't prohibitive (non-fans of the TV series won't want to invest more than 30 minutes in it), followed by La Llorna, which should have modest waits all night. The 3-D glasses make the Afterlife line especially slow-moving, so save it for last or skip it entirely if the queue exceeds 30 minutes. You can also continue around the London Waterfront to Havoc.
3. Check the show schedule.
After the haunted houses, the Bill & Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure show (staged inside the Fear Factor Live stadium) is the event's most popular element. This year's skits skewer Taylor Swift, George Lucas, and Paula Dean while pulling out the stops with pyrotechnics and barely-clad dancers.
The first and last showings are typically the only ones you can attend without lining up 45 to 60 minutes in advance. If you have already seen 3 or 4 houses by 7 p.m. (and are interested in a raunchy spoof of recent films and pop-culture celebrities) make your way to Bill & Ted about 30 minutes before the 7:30 p.m. first show.
If you've only hit 1 or 2 houses so far, and posted wait times are still moderate (under 30 minutes) you can skip the first Bill & Ted and slide into the final showing (usually 45 minutes before closing) right before the showtime, since there are often empty seats on off-peak nights.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Tribute is a lively musical production on the Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue stage that should entertain fans of the cult film and “virgins” alike. You can usually catch any of the mid-evening shows by arriving 15 to 20 minutes in advance.
4. Explore the scarezones.
After the sun sets (around 7:30 p.m.) and the waits for the houses become unbearable, begin exploring the scarezones, which are like open-air haunted mazes minus the conga-line queues. Just as much fun as getting scared yourself is finding a vantage point to stand still and see others getting spooked; this is some of the best people-watching you'll ever find.This year, all the scarezones are based around settings from The Walking Dead's first two seasons. Look for:
The woods near along Central Park, with a legless “bicycle walker” near Cafe La Bamba, and a blood-squirting deer eater.
The survivors' camp with Dale's RV near KidZone; watch the tent for a spectacularly icky projection effect.
The fall of Atlanta in New York, featuring the tank Rick faced in season 1. Watch for fellow guests in the crowd who are attacked and turned, but cover your nose against the stench of death.
The walker traps from the episode “Clear” line Hollywood.
Also keep your eye out for the chainsaw squad, terrorize pedestrians between World Expo and the London Waterfront; and the. Governor's roaming “walker bombs” that periodically deposit vanloads of walkers on the sidewalks.
5. Single rider the rides.
By the mid-point of the evening, standby waits for all the houses will be substantial, and lines for the rides will be astronomical on Saturdays) but experiencing several top attractions should still be manageable using single rider queues. Men In Black, Revenge of the Mummy, and Transformers all have fairly efficient single-rider operations. (Transformers' singles queue is closed when it hits about 30 minutes, but usually reopens after 10 or 15 minutes, so hang around nearby without blocking the entrance.) Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit has a single rider line but it is often as long as the standy queue, and none of the other operating rides have one at all. On off-peak nights, you may find ride queues shockingly short: Transformers and Despicable Me have been as short as 20 minutes.
6. Escape to CityWalk
Even on a slow night, Horror Nights crowds can drive you to drink, and many of your fellow guests will doubtlessly be imbibing. There are temporary bars serving expensive mixed drinks on seemingly every spare square foot of sidewalk, but but serious in-park boozing we prefer Finnegan's bar or the new Duff Brewery in Springfield USA. Better yet, if the park is open past midnight get out of Dodge for an hour or so and retreat to CityWalk. Most HHN passes include admission to CityWalk's clubs, or you can grab a reasonably priced brew at Cigarz without a cover charge.
7. Haunt again at the witching hour.
As the evening's event approaches its final hour, wait times at the haunted mazes drop dramatically. If you are interested in Bill & Ted and didn't catch the first showing, show up 20 to 30 minutes before the last performance on peak nights (or 10 minutes before showtime off-peak).
Otherwise, use final hours to catch up on the houses you missed earlier. Lines at La Llorna and Resident Evil remain relatively light all evening, and Havoc is best experienced after dark.
The last 30 to 60 minutes before park close is the best time to hit Evil Dead and Walking Dead, which build crowds early in the evening but then drop off.
Cabin in the Woods and American Werewolf in London are the two best houses and tend to hold crowds until closing, so if you didn't see them at the start of the night, step into line for one of them at the last possible minute (you'll be allowed to stay in the queue until you're through).
8. Be the last to leave.
Unless you leave significantly before closing time, you're best off dawdling in the park or CityWalk on the way out. The parking garage exits will be at a standstill, so you might as well grab a seat outside and relax rather than breathing fumes in a traffic jam.
Check back with us as we continue to refine our HHN touring plan, and tell us about your HHN experience in the comments below!
Share on Facebook
Retweet this
REVISED Halloween Horror Nights XXIII Touring Plan is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Changes Are Coming To Walt Disney World Feature Pools
• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest
©Disney
According to an article in the Orlando Sentinel, quite a few changes will be taking place at Walt Disney World’s most popular pools.
The first of the major changes is that lifeguards will now be on site all day. Previously, lifeguards were only around for part of the day, with the rest of the day being swim-at-your-own-risk. (Signs were up indicating this.)
The other very large change is that guests will no longer be allowed to swim after posted pool hours. To enforce this, the installation of fences and gates is planned at resorts that don’t currently have them. Feature pools will now open at either 7 a.m. or 9 a.m. (depending on the season) and will close at 11 p.m. nightly.
As of now, the smaller, quiet pools will remain accessible at all hours, with no lifeguards in place.
All pools will be changed over by November 2013.
Share on Facebook
Retweet this
Changes Are Coming To Walt Disney World Feature Pools is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Observations from Universal Studios Florida: September 19, 2013
• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest
Weekday afternoons during mid-September are some of the most wonderfully crowd-free times to tour the Universal Orlando Resort. So last Thursday I stopped by Universal Studios Florida for a few hours to take one last look at the park before Halloween Horror Nights XXIII began on the following night.
(Fear not, we’ll be posting an updated HHN touring plan later this week in time for the next event night, based on wait-time data we collected during opening weekend. And we’ll continue refining the plan as the event progresses into October.)
Approaching the park you are now greeted by massive “tree roots” entwined around the iconic archways, framing banners representing the haunted mazes featured at HHN XXIII.
The tree imagery ties into this year’s evil has taken root marketing campaign tag line.
Once through the turnstiles, I noted that Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem, which drew triple-digit wait times all summer, had only a 35 minute posted wait, confirming it as an exceptionally quiet day to visit.
So I was somewhat surprised to see the Studio Brass Band out entertaining in the afternoon. It’s nice to see that little live shows like this aren’t being eliminated in the off-season.
USF’s Studio Brass plays TV & movie tunes most mornings outside the Lucy tribute.
In case you weren’t aware of HHN, USF has plenty of signs to inform you.
At the end of the Hollywood area, you’ll find this imposing structure. Luckily for the squeamish, the barn seen in season 2 of The Walking Dead is sealed during the day, and the gory tableau behind it concealed under tarps.
This looks much scarier at night…
Sophia? Are you in there?…
Heading into Springfield U.S.A. (which still is not identified as such on park maps) I was sad to see that Chief Wiggum’s cop cruiser has been removed. Previous barricades were erected around the car in an attempt to keep guests from climbing on it. Hopefully it isn’t gone for good.
Who stole Chief Wiggum’s car? Must have been Snake!
I stopped into Fast Food Boulevard for lunch and encountered the longest queue I would see all day, though it only took a little over 15 minutes to make it to the food ordering area. (It appears guest flow is less than optimal since the checkout cashiers rarely had a wait; the bottleneck appears to be at the popular Krusty Burger window; perhaps if guests desiring one of the other options were permitted through, the queue would move quicker.)
Behold the meat liker’s pizza.
I selected Luigi’s “meat liker’s” personal pizza, one of the few entrees I hadn’t already tried. The crust was asymmetrically hand-shaped but evenly cooked and agreeably chewy, preferable to the other pies available in the park, though the cheese is a bit skimpy and the sauce is predictably bland. The thin-sliced pepperoni is standard-issue, and as an agnostic Jew I can take or leave the tiny bits of diced ham. But it’s the well-seasoned crumbled Italian sausage that sets this pizza a step above Universal’s other quick-service slices.
Exiting the eatery, I noticed these colorful stars that were recently added to the pavement, in keeping with the Krustyland carnival theming.
Next stop: a spin on MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack, which was literally a walk-on (not a single person ahead of me) via the single riders line. Not a bad score, but far from my best work…
It’s harder to score 999,999 since they de-valued Frank the Pug…
If you are too scared to attend HHN but want to dress like you did, you’ll find a full selection of Halloween shirts and souvenirs inside the MIB Gear gift shop.
Everything you need if you want to look like you fight zombies…
…or impersonate Michael Jackson?…
This year’s house checklist t-shirt.
Now we come to the most important part of our tour: a look at the progress on the London Waterfront, future home of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley.
This is what guests see approaching from the Fear Factor Live stadium. The Gringotts indoor roller coaster building is on the right.
This water-facing section will be themed around London landmarks.
King’s Cross train station.
Zooming in on construction workers to show a sense of scale.
At the transition between London and San Francisco, near the exit of Disaster!, you can spot the elevated track that the Hogwarts Express train connecting the two parks will run along.
This section may eventually be rebuilt to conceal the train.
Finally, coming through San Francisco, it started to drizzle. Up ahead I sighted salvation: Transformers: The Ride 3-D with only a 20 minute wait!
Much better than waiting 120 minutes!
I survived yet another encounter with the Decepticons and am happy to report that all effects in the ride (including the occasionally-balky fog blasts) were working beautifully.
Unfortunately, as I emerged from the Supply Vault an intense downpour made me decide to cut short my visit. Accompanied on the trudge back through CityWalk by dozens of drenched tourists, it was apparent I wasn’t alone. But those who stuck around on that wet, windy afternoon must have had the park practically all to themselves!
Share on Facebook
Retweet this
Observations from Universal Studios Florida: September 19, 2013 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
The Disney’s in the Details: Liberty Square
By Daisy Lauren
• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest
Today we cover the beautiful land of Liberty Square… and for those keeping track we are close to half way through our tour around the Magic Kingdom. I think Liberty Square is often overlooked because it lacks E-ticket rides but there are lots of details packed into this little area. Let’s get started with the view heading in from Adventureland:
When heading in from this direction this very different light post is one of the only indicators that you are changing lands. It is ironic that even though there are four ways I’ve found to wander into Liberty Square there is only one sign I’ve found with the land’s name! Here is what that sign looks like:
It can be found at the large entrance to Liberty Square from the hub. When entering the land from this direction you can see some very interesting details! To the right of this sign (on the opposite side of the walkway) you will see this plaque:
To the right of this plaque is a small booth:
But what is neater is what can be seen inside! (You can click on these smaller images to see full size ones) I did a bit of Googling and didn’t find any meaning to what these texts stand for. I’m hoping one of our readers will have some scoop to share!
As you continue across the bridge into Liberty Square you will see these lovely lights sporting a proud, golden eagle!
While we are on the topic of entering Liberty Square let’s go ahead and cover entering from Fantasyland! When heading past Peter Pan on your left and the Rapunzel Rest Area (or Tangled Toilets as we lovingly refer to them) on your right you will see this lovely view ahead of you:
There are many lovely details throughout but let’s jump ahead to the sign you’ll pass under on your right for the The Yankee Trader:
Now, compare this in sharp contrast to the view of this building on the other side, once you enter Liberty Square:
On the other side of the street from Yankee Trader is the Columbia Harbour House. This awesome dining spot has some amazing signs!
Not to mention some additional theming as you continue around the building.
Now before we head too far off in this direction we can’t forget that The Haunted Mansion is the first thing you will see on your right when entering from Fantasyland! This is certainly a ride I could do an entire blog post on so let’s just cover a few special details. To begin this is what the new FastPass+ entrances look like.
The view looking into The Haunted Mansion you will see a hearse and roses growing up from a broken fountain. It is also worth noting that the awning on the left was replace earlier this year and is now green. I like it much better!
There are several authentic looking gravestones throughout the queue. Here are the few less common ones. It is also worth noting that in the pet cemetery towards the exit features a tribute to Mr. Toad. I realized when I was there taking these photos I didn’t bring the right lens to catch him. (he’s wwwaayyy in the back) But I will be sure to feature him sometime.
And now here is everyone’s favorite grave marker.. she has her eye on you!
One last note on The Haunted Mansion are all the neat themed signs throughout. They have some of the best themed signs (and cast!) in all the parks:
Getting back to our tour, next on the list is The Hall Of Presidents! (I am choosing to skip the Disney Visa booth that now litters the waterfront area across from this attraction)
On your way to The Hall of Presidents from The Haunted Mansion you will see several little items in the windows:
If you look hard enough you will even spot some Sorcerers fun:
In the same area as The Hall Of Presidents you will see one of the most well known photo spots in the park! Even going early it was hard to get a shot of this vacant!!
Just beside The Hall of Presidents I also found this weird sign! Who knows what this one means?
Continuing on past The Hall of Presidents you will see this lovely little spot. Though it doesn’t have a good view of anything I think it is worthy of a visit!
If you keep walking you will encounter this beautiful path that leads to Sleepy Hollow:
Check out these tiny details around Sleepy Hollow:
There is also this tiny little sign that you can find on your way to the Christmas Shoppe:
The Christmas Shoppe also has some very unique signs!
Not to mention some awesome seating options! I have seen many parades from that sleigh and I have been known to enjoy a Sleepy Hollow waffle sandwich at that lovely little table. They are often vacant!
As you exit the Christmas Shoppe you will run smack into the Liberty Tree and Liberty Bell. Here is the sign for the Liberty Tree:
And the plaque it mentions:
And here is Disney World’s very own Liberty Bell!
Moving past this I thought this was a good time to mention the lights and fences of Liberty Square. These vary drastically from the ones that were featured in Frontierland just a small distance from these:
Past the Liberty Bell you will see the Liberty Tree Restaurant. You will know you are coming up on it because you will see large black pots:
Just past these pots is the lovely entrance!
Continuing past this you are nearly outside of Liberty Square and passing into Frontierland. The last landmark on your left is The Diamond Horseshoe:
One last little bit of Liberty Square can be found just around the corner at a final Sorcerers portal:
And that concludes our little look into Liberty Square. Did you see something you hadn’t noticed before? I hope so! Let us know in the comments below. Be sure to tune in for the first part of Fantasyland in our next installment!
Share on Facebook
Retweet this
The Disney’s in the Details: Liberty Square is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
September 25, 2013
Pictures: Market House Reopens As Disneyland’s Starbucks Location
• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest
Disneyland’s Market House has been transformed in to the park’s first Starbucks location after a multi-month refurbishment. The menu has been significantly expanded and now offers a full selection of Starbucks drinks and food items. You can view the menu here. A seating area has also been added to the location, replacing the former Disneyana shop.
The facade of the building remains mostly the same. Starbucks signage has been added to the windows.
Many more images can be found below.
The inside of the Market House has been significantly expanded.
The queue takes up most of the main room. This location also has much larger areas for people waiting to receive their drinks. That was one of the flaws of the Starbucks location at Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe in Disney California Adventure.
A look at the menu.
Starbucks and Disney baked goods on display.
The drink and snack station.
The stove from thde original Market House. It is now located in the attached seating area, which is known as “The Book Rest”
Yes, you can still sit in Market House and play a game of checkers.
There are several other nice props and details throughout Market House.
The seating area of Market House, now called “The Book Rest.”
This area is nicely themed, but there are only a handful of tables available. Obtaining a place to sit may be tough on busy days.
But at least it looks nice!
Share on Facebook
Retweet this
Pictures: Market House Reopens As Disneyland’s Starbucks Location is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
What’s New and Updated in the 2014 Unofficial Guide to Disneyland
• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest
Just like the Walt Disney World version, the 2014 edition of the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland is now shipping! It's available from Amazon in both paperback and Kindle e-books.
Disneyland Resort didn't experience the same explosive growth in the past year that it enjoyed in 2012, but that certainly doesn't mean Walt's original Magic Kingdom has stood still — and neither has the Unoffical Guide! From the newly-constructed Fantasy Faire to the latest food options around Anaheim, we've made over 200 updates and improvements to this 375-page volume.
Below is a quick look at many of the important changes included in the new book.
Introduction
A brand-new “Importance of Being Goofy” satirical essay.
Updated Critical Comparison of attractions found at both Disneyland Park and WDW's Magic Kingdom.
Updated list of attractions found only at Disneyland Park.
Part 1 – Planning Before You Leave Home
Expanded information on Touringplans.com and our Lines smartphone software.
New reccomendations on podcasts and websites to follow for the latest Disneyland news and rumors.
The latest Disney ticket price and what’s included in Disney’s various admission options; tips for where to find savings on theme park admission; how to plan for future price increases.
Clarified policies on upgrading partially-used multi-day passes.
Disneyland's new photo ID policy for multi day ticket holders, and how it may impact your visit.
The latest analysis of Disney’s Extra Magic Hours schedule and advice on how to best utilize these perks if you’re staying at a Disney resort.
New info on the Disneyland Resort attendance and the shift in balance between the two parks.
Expanded information on alternate parking options and walking to Disneyland from outside the resort.
Updated guide to using the ART public transit system.
An updated Anaheim Convention Center 2014 Calendar, including how events will affect crowds.
Refreshed ratings and rankings for over 80 Anaheim-area hotels, including our Top 30 Best Deals and Hotels within walking distance of Disneyland.
Updated advice about using FastPass, including disconnected attractions and the enforcement of return windows.
New information about VIP guided tours like “Walk in Walt's Footsteps” and “Cultivating the Magic.”
Part 2 – Essentials
New info about the daily Disney Visa private meet & greet in Disney California Adventure.
Expanded guidance for guests with special needs.
Inclement weather and how it affects Radiator Springs Racers.
The latest on cell phone charging lockers and Disney's PhotoPass service, plus updated ATM locations.
Part 3 – Disneyland with Kids
Newly added chart compiling minimum height requirements for all attractions in one place.
Updated information on where to meet your favorite princesses in the parks, both for free and at character meals.
Disneyland's new policies on children between the ages of 7 and 14.
Part 4 – Dining and Shopping in and around Disneyland
An expanded comparison of Advance Dining Reservations in Disneyland vs. WDW.
A list of where to locate our newest favorite snacks and indulgences around the parks, like barbeque pork shanks and chocolate-covered pineapple.
Preview of the soon-to-reopen Market House on Main Street USA, now starring Starbucks Coffee.
Menu and atmosphere updates to over 30 of the resort's counter and table service eateries, including refreshed reviews of Big Thunder Ranch BBQ, Carthay Circle, Blue Bayou, Harbor Galley, Troubador Tavern, and many more.
Brand-new or revised reviews of more than a dozen Anaheim-area restaurants.
Updates on the shops of Downtown Disney, and the future of Anaheim GardenWalk.
Part 5 – Disneyland Park
Updates to Disneyland's park opening procedures.
Many Brand new “Disney Dish with Jim Hill” anecdotes, hinting at new parades and revealing hidden Jungle Cruise jokes.
The relocation of the Disneyana shop, the reduction of the Disney Gallery, and the renovation of Main Street lobby.
Fuller coverage of the Dole Whip bar in Adventureland.
Recent renovations to the Indiana Jones Adventure and Big Thunder Mountain.
New info on where to find Billy Hill and the Hillbillies, both in the park and on iTunes.
Updated touring advice for the Fantasyland attractions during early entry and evening fireworks.
New reviews of the all-new Fantasy Faire Royal Theater and Royal Hall, plus a review of the new Fantasyland Theatre show “Mickey and the Magic Map.”
Updated ride descriptions for it's a small world, Matterhorn Boblseds,and Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, plus revised rating for Captain EO.
The arrival of Tony Stark and Marvel superheroes in Tomorrowland's Innoventions.
New old arcade games you'll find in the Starcade.
Glow with the Show illuminated ears and interacting with Disneyland's nighttime spectaculars.
Updated info on seasonal events including Halloween and Christmas.
Updates to the exclusive “No Ride, No Queues, No Stress Anti-Touring Plan.”
Part 6 – Disney California Adventure
Updates on entry procedures at DCA.
Changes to Disney Junior, and the preemption of MuppetVision 3-D.
More coverage of the carnival games on Paradise Pier.
Updated advice on seeing Toy Story Midway Mania! in the wake of Radiator Springs Racers, and how to best use your RSR FastPass.
New World of Color dining options, and fresh reader feedback about how to see the show.
Revised touring advice for early entry, parents with small kids, and adults, including how to secure sought-after Radiator Springs Racers Fast Passes.
New Jim Hill stories.
Part 7 – Universal Studios Hollywood
Breaking updates on Universal's “Evolution” expansion plans, including the future arrival of Harry Potter.
Updated prices for Universal admission and their newly-enhanced VIP program.
A sneak preview of the under-construction Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem ride.
Updated attraction info for WaterWorld, House of Horrors, and the NBC Universal Experience.
New in-park dining recommendations.
And of course, we've updated all of our trademark touring plans for Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and Universal Studios Hollywood.
Share on Facebook
Retweet this
What’s New and Updated in the 2014 Unofficial Guide to Disneyland is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Disneyland Resort Begins Accepting Online Dining Reservations Starting October 3
• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest
Walt Disney World visitors have grown accustomed to booking their dining reservations online using an automated system, but Disneyland diners have been stuck using old-fashioned phone or email options. Yesterday it was announced that, as of October 3, 2013, all Disneyland Resort dining arrangements can be made through this new website.
This upgrade means that the dine@disneyland.com email reservation system will be discontinued, though phone bookings will still be accepted via 714-781-DINE. In addition, Disneyland will now begin requiring a credit card at the time of reservation; a $10 per person penalty will be charged if you miss your reservation without canceling or rescheduling (which can also be done online) a day in advance. This policy applies to all table service restaurants on property, both Disney-operated and franchises.
Share on Facebook
Retweet this
Disneyland Resort Begins Accepting Online Dining Reservations Starting October 3 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
11 Things Everyone Should Do Once at Walt Disney World
By Erin Foster
• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest
Every first time visitor to Walt Disney World should do the iconic things that first time visitors do: ride Dumbo, eat the giant turkey leg, and pose with Mickey. I actually think Florida passed a law stating that all first time Disney visitors are contractually obligated to complete the Dumbo/turkey/Mickey trifecta within 24 hours or their tickets will be revoked. Or maybe it just feels that way 
Once you’ve mastered the basics, there are some more advanced things that everyone should do at least once at Walt Disney World.
Dinner at Victoria & Albert’s is must-try experience
Here are my top eleven choices:
Spend a Day at Walt Disney World Without Going on Any Rides. Guess what, there’s waaaay more to Disney World than roller coasters and spinning tea cups. Spending a day at Disney without going on rides forces you to find ALL the fun that Disney has to offer. Here are some non-ride ideas for spending time in the parks.
Eat or drink your way around the World Showcase countries at Epcot. Educational and tasty!
Get a photo with every Disney character. These will be instant family classics.
Check out the walking trails at the Animal Kingdom. Did you know that there are giant bats on the Maharajah Jungle Trek and gorillas on the Pangani Forest Trail?
See every show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Even better: Try to get yourself in one of the shows.
Check out all of Innoventions at Epcot.
People watch. I once camped out with a crossword puzzle at table in the Epcot UK gardens. In the span of an hour, I saw the full spectrum of humankind from gorgeous to grotesque and from near fistfight to get-a-room-already. Fascinating stuff.
Finally learn how to use your camera. The varied and interesting subjects at the parks make it the perfect place to experiment with settings on your camera beyond “automatic.” Take the same shot with different shutter speeds and aperture settings to see how much those factors can make a big difference.
For an added degree of difficulty (and fun), spend the day at Disney without going into a park at all: mini-golf, visit the spa, swim, go boating or fishing, take in a game at the Wide World of Sports complex, shop at Downtown Disney, etc.
Dine at Victoria & Albert’s. Yes, this Grand Floridian dinner for two will set you back about $350 (two $135 prix fixe meals, two glasses of wine, 18% tip). And yes, it is worth every penny. This is the best meal and best service you’ll ever have. No you won’t feel intimidated; the servers are incredibly sweet and helpful. No, the food isn’t too weird; every bite is simply delicious. I’m guessing there’s something else you’re spending a ridiculous $350 on: WWF gear, Giants season tickets, a new putter, those cute heels, popcorn and Mickey Mouse sweatshirts, whatever. This is better than that, I promise.
Close Down the Park. Stay at the Magic Kingdom past closing time and you’ll watch the mad dash exit die down to a trickle. The music and lights will diminish and dim. And you’ll feel like the park belongs all to you. Snap some photos on an empty Main Street just before they kick you out the door.
Visit with a child and see the parks in a whole new way.
Ride Mission Space Orange. I must confess that I’m not thrill ride person. I go on Tower of Terror to keep my daredevil daughter company, but I’d chose Small World over Space Mountain any day of the week. That being said, I think it’s important to push the boundaries of comfort. Maybe you’ll like it, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll make use of those handy “lunch reflux” disposal bags on board. But at least you can say you tried.
Drink the proverbial Beverly (the foodie corollary of riding Mission Space). Beverly is a bitter Italian soda found for free at the Club Cool shop at Epcot. Many (most?) Americans find it so foul that there is an entire genre of YouTube videos devoted to documenting the convulsed faces of guests taking their first sip. But guess what, after a dozen or so attempts, I have truly learned to love the taste of Beverly. With so many different food cultures represented at Disney World (particularly at Epcot), there are ample opportunities for you to expand your palate and find a new favorite food.
Wear the Ear Hat. You know the one I mean, basic black with your name embroidered in gold. Buy the hat and then actually wear it all day in the park. You’ll automatically feel 50% younger and 36.5% sillier.
Take a Backstage Tour. I’ve often heard Disney naysayers remark negatively that the parks are “so man made.” To which I respond, “I know! Isn’t it amazing!” There are several dozen opportunities to tour behind-the-scenes areas of Walt Disney World to learn exactly how remarkably talented men and women make such incredible attractions. And in addition to providing education and fun, most of the backstage tours allow you the opportunity to have in depth conversations with cast members about their particular area of passion. I always leave thinking that I want to be them when I grow up.
Celebrating at Walt Disney World makes any event extra special.
Visit with a Child. I had been to Walt Disney World several times as a young adult, but my entire perspective of the parks changed once I visited with my toddler daughter. Did you know that Cinderella is really, really REAL? My daughter did. Even if you don’t have kids of your own, ask to borrow a friend’s for the day. They’ll be thankful for the babysitting and you’ll get to see the magic in a whole new light.
Visit the Water Parks. My rockin’-the-bikini days are loooong gone, but despite my bifocals, bunions, and wholesale lack of interest in swimming, I’ll never say no to a visit to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. They’re a concentrated dose of summer, the kind you had in third grade without a care in the world. In fact, Teamboat Springs at Blizzard Beach is my all time favorite attraction at Walt Disney World, bar none.
Vow to Have a Day of No Complaining. Disney World can be too crowded, too hot, too expensive, and altogether too much of a muchness. Spending your day complaining about these things will not make it any better. Instead, vow to spend the day noticing the lovely artwork, the dedicated staff, the happy music, the vibrant colors, and the intoxicating smells. Simply choosing to focus on the good will make your vacation a whole heck of a lot better.
Celebrate Your Special Day. My husband and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary at Walt Disney World this past July. We wore the pins and told cast members at every opportunity – and the love rained down upon us. We got a fruit basket in our room courtesy of the Disney Vacation Club, we got free dessert at Artist Point and free champagne at Citrico’s, but more than the happy swag, I loved that the Disney cast was even nicer and friendlier than their usual over-the-top nice and friendly. All the attention and kind words made our celebration super special. We had a similar experience during our WDW trip in which we celebrated our twins’ 6th birthday. Mickey himself brought them cupcakes at dinner. What could be better on a six year old’s birthday?! At the risk of inciting a flame war (check out the comments on my post about free stuff at Disney), I’m going to say that your celebration day doesn’t have to fall exactly on your special day. Don’t abuse the system by telling cast that your birthday happens on weekly basis, but feel free to tell them that you’re celebrating your special day if you actually are celebrating then, even if your actual big day was three weeks ago.
What’s your take on the “Things Everyone Should Do Once” topic? Am I missing your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
Share on Facebook
Retweet this
11 Things Everyone Should Do Once at Walt Disney World is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Bob Sehlinger's Blog
- Bob Sehlinger's profile
- 30 followers
