Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1293

Join Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney for Foodtopia

By Rikki Niblett

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©Disney

A few of Downtown Disney’s incredible restaurants will take part in Downtown Disney Foodtopia, which is set out to feature those restaurant’s most popular and notorious dishes.

The event, which is scheduled to run from October 1 – 31, will allow guests to experience a three course dinner for $30 at one of seven different options. (Or dine at Fulton’s Crab House, where the cost will be $60.) The restaurants that will be participating in Foodtopia are: Bongos Cuban Café, House of Blues, Paradiso 37, Planet Hollywood, Portobello, Splitsville, and Wolfgang Puck Café.

The dinner will include the three different courses, along with a non-alcoholic beverage. A sample look at what some of the dining options are:

Paradiso 37: Entrees include options like blackened mahi sliders, a hearty beef burrito or chicken enchiladas served with a starter, as well as a dessert.
Planet Hollywood: For entrees, choose from Celebrity BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger, lasagna, or their Southwest Salad.
Splitsville: Here, guests can choose from eight appetizers, as well as 10 entrees options, with a brownie and ice cream for dessert.
Wolfgang Puck Café: Starters include garlic and white bean hummus, a Caesar salad or butternut squash soup. Entrees are pesto chicken, crispy pork loin or spaghetti Bolognese. Desserts choices are key lime pie, carrot cake or a brownie sundae.
Fulton’s Crab House: Choose from either shrimp cocktail, steamed clams and mussels or jumbo lump crab cake to start. Meal options include a whole Rhode Island lobster, cioppino or filet mignon. For dessert, the choices are a Tollhouse Cookie sundae, key lime pie or a root beer float.

In addition, guests who make a reservation for Downtown Disney Foodtopia will have the ability to save 20% on tickets to Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba.

Foodtopia will take place from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm nightly during the month, and reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance. You can make your reservation by calling (407) WDW-DINE. Reservations for this event can be made as early as Saturday, September 28.

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Ask Jim Hill Episode 7: When Will Disney Build Another Disneyland Resort Hotel?

By Guy Selga Jr.

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On this episode, Jim Hill and Len Testa answer a viewer question about when, if, and where Disney is planning  to build a fourth hotel at Disneyland Resort.

New episodes will be posted every Tuesday, so be sure to subscribe on YouTube!

If you have a question about Disney or Universal history, you can submit it to AskJimHill@TouringPlans.com, and he may answer it on the air!

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Ask Jim Hill Episode 7: When Will Disney Build Another Disneyland Resort Hotel? is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Where To Run At Walt Disney World

By Kristina Murphy

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Many guests visit Walt Disney World for runDisney ’racecations’ throughout the year, whether it’s for the Walt Disney World Marathon, Princess Half Marathon, Expedition Everest Challenge, Tower of Terror 10-Miler, or Wine and Dine Half Marathon, but sometimes schedules don’t match up or you have other vacation priorities and the need arises to run while on your regularly scheduled vacation. Aside from logging treadmill miles, what’s a runner on vacation to do?

At the Jingle Jungle 5K, 2012.

Fortunately, there are a plethora of options – especially if you are staying on property at the Walt Disney World Resort. While your run might not include the requisite character greeting opportunities of a race, it will surely provide a magical start to your morning and planned activities.

Each of the following recommendations include approximate mileage and terrain considerations and can supplemented with additional loops or out-and-backs on sidewalks and walkways within the confines of the resort area. Maps may be requested upon arrival at resort front desks – the following images below have been complied from a variety of sources.

Please exercise caution when utilizing shared spaces with maintenance vehicles and be courteous to fellow pedestrians. As in any other physical activity, please consult your physician before beginning a fitness routine.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort Area

Disney’s All Star Resorts (Music, Movies & Sports)

(source)

Distance: 1.5 miles

Terrain: Paved

Suggestions: Add loops around the buildings and theming of the resort to get in some extra miles. If you’re someone that likes a leisurely run, do a photo scavenger hunt of fun sights along the way.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Distance: 0.16 around Uzima Pool, apx 0.5 miles between Kidani Village and Jambo House

Terrain: Paved

Suggestions: Although the distance options are not plentiful at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, the spread-out nature of the resort lends to great indoor walking opportunities.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

(source)

Distance: 1 mile around entire walkway, .75 along Lago Dorado

Terrain: Paved

Suggestions: Mix up loops and enjoy running over bridges and taking in water views. There are also many plaza areas tucked away along the route that can add fun and mileage.

Epcot Resort Area

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn (and Villas), Beach Club Resort (and Villas), and the Yacht Club

(source)

Distance: 7/8 mile – 3 miles, depending on course

Terrain: Paved, along with boardwalk surface (slippery when wet!)

Suggestions: Quiet mornings are the best time to log some mileage in this area! You can run around Crescent Lake, up and over bridges, and even down the canal area toward Hollywood Studios to your east, or toward the entrance to Epcot‘s International Gateway to the northeast.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach

(source)

Distance: 1.2 miles on main path

Terrain: Paved, paver stones and boardwalk surface (watch your step!)

Suggestions: Exploring the Caribbean Beach area can be quite an adventure! Enjoy the water views, fort details and island feel.

Magic Kingdom Resort Area

Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground / Wilderness Lodge (and Villas)

(source)

Distance: many options, from 2.5 miles (and shorter) to much higher, with added loops.

Terrain: Part paved, part gravel.

Suggestions: The Ft Wilderness /Wilderness Lodge area is, as one might guess, very wooded – bug spray and/or protective eyewear ir recommended in case of high insect areas. As in other paths that make contact with roadways, be mindful of others who share your paths.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort (and Bay Lake Tower)

(source)

Distance: .89 miles on confines of property

Terrain: Paved / paver stones

Suggestions: Depending on time of day, the out-and-back distance to the Magic Kingdom entrance and boat launches (about 0.5 mile one-way) can add some extra magic to your run!

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

(source)

Distance: 1 mile

Terrain: Paved

Suggestions: Mileage can be included with extra loops around the Grand Floridian, or added on after reaching the Polynesian.

Disney’s Polynesian Resort

(source)

Distance: 1.5 miles

Terrain: Paved

Suggestions: As with the Grand Floridian route, mix-ins to and fro, and around resorts can add miles. Bonus: kick off your shoes and do some strides on the beach!

Downtown Disney Resort Area

Disney’s Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts

(source)

(source)

Distance: 1.1 miles, withmany add-on options

Terrain: Paved

Suggestions: Whether you are staying at Pop Century or the Art of Animation Resort, you are welcome to cross the bridge over Hourglass Lake to enjoy a change of scenery and extra mileage. Take in the larger than life theming of both resorts and immerse yourself into the very different stories being told at each location!

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort (French Quarter and Riverside)

(source)

Distance: 1 mile, with many add-on options

Terrain: Paved / paver stones

Suggestions: Take in the gorgeous views of Port Orleans between both sides of the resort.

Disney’s Old Key West

(source)

Distance: 1.37 miles

Terrain: Paved

Suggestions: Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of Disney’s version of Key West, taking in the views of canals and the fairways of Disney’s Buena Vista Golf Course. Add extra resort loops for mileage! Please note: golf cart paths are not meant for pedestrians.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa

(source)

Distance: 1.4 miles, with many add-on options

Terrain: Paved

Suggestions: The main path around the resort is easy and marked – to add on some mileage, take the path to the east of the map onto a sidewalk that links the resort to the Downtown Disney area (parallel to Buena Vista Drive). Please note that some areas of Downtown Disney are closed in the early hours (opening times may vary, but are generally around 9:30 AM) and you may need to take sidewalks around the main area. You may also take the sidewalks down Hotel Plaza Blvd (they are lit) for more distance.

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Starting (or ending) your Disney day with a run can be a great way to maintain your fitness routine, so next time you’re at Disney, why not check out one of these routes.

Or, if you’ve run at Disney before, did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments!

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A Few Magic Kingdom Refurbishments For This Winter

By Rikki Niblett

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Winter time is one of the more popular times that Walt Disney World puts refurbishments on its calendar, and it looks like there are a few that are starting to pop up. Here’s what you should be aware of for your upcoming winter trip:

“it’s a small world” will be closed from December 2 – 12, reopening on December 13.
The Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade will end its run on December 21.
Splash Mountain will have its annual refurbishment from January 6 – March 21, reopening March 22.
Tomorrowland Speedway will be closed from January 6 – 12, reopening January 13.
Casey’s Corner will close from January 6 – February 15, reopening February 16.

Disney may, of course, change its plans at any time. For a full list of current and upcoming ride refurbishments, please check our Walt Disney World refurbishment schedule.

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Animal Kingdom Observations: September 21, 2013

By Daisy Lauren

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When I first started with Touring Plans I was surprised to hear the least popular park on the blog is Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  I say that because any given day if you ask me what my favorite park is I will either answer Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom depending on my mood.  I find that Animal Kingdom is consistently different and I have the opportunity to take beautiful photos, making it a park I visit quite frequently!  The below photos were all taken this morning.  (Believe me – it would look way better if I was pulling out old photos!! )  Let’s get on with our visit to Animal Kingdom!

It was beautiful this morning.  When I parked my car at 8:30am the thermometer said it was only 72 degrees outside.  With the 90+ degree weather we’ve had for the last few months this felt amazing!  As I walked in I noticed that the large bus sign had been removed and replaced with sandwich board signs advertising the new Downtown Disney bus route.

Continuing on to bag check you can see the first sign that crowds were low and it was going to be a great day:

After this we made our way up to the turnstiles and waited for the park opening at 8:45am.  It opened at 8:45am right on the dot and we headed towards the Kilimanjaro Safari, of course stopping for the obligatory Tree Of Life photo.

Along our route to the Safari we checked in on the progress of the new Festival of the Lion King theater.  It is coming along:

I can’t wait to see this new theater open!  Before riding the Safari we, of course, stopped to pick up fastpasses since we knew we would want to ride again.  We had decided early this wasn’t going to be a roller coaster day so using fastpasses for an extra safari was an easy choice.

And then we were off for the standby line of what I think is my favorite ride in all of Walt Disney World!  Here are the animals that I was able to get great photos of while on the ride.  We saw many more than are actually featured here:

Bongo

Black Rhino

Giraffes (look at the baby!!)

Bull Elephant

White Rhino

lioness

Zebra

Addax

This is why we always head straight for the Safari in the morning!  The animals are all wake and roaming.  Going even an hour later during the warmer months can mean that you miss lots of them.  After the ride we had some time to kill before our fastpass window opened so we headed over to the Pangani Forest Trail.  Again here are the animals that were feeling photogenic!

Colobus Monkey

Okapi

Bird

Bird

Meerkat

Male Gorilla

Notes on these photos – that is the laziest Meerkat I’ve ever seen.  While it was still performing its “lookout duties” it was doing so from the equivalent of a La-Z-Boy.  Also, apparently Gorillas eat off of frisbees?  When we reached the end of the trail it was 10am and time to cash in our fastpasses.  I noticed it had gotten warmer and had a feeling this one wouldn’t be as good as our first ride.  Taking a look at the photos below you can see I was right.

A bloat of hippos

Ankole Cattle that had been blocking the road

Male Lion

Hot, Tired White Rhinos

I included the photo of the Rhinos because I found this is what most of the animals were doing by 10:30am!  Our earlier safari was much better but I didn’t want to give up just yet so we headed over to the Maharajah Jungle Trek hoping to catch a few animals before they escaped the heat.  As you can see from the photo below this didn’t quite work out as I had hoped!

The only animals I found that were still out were the birds:

At this point we decided that if it was too hot for the animals it was too hot for us!  We took the the log way out and hopped on Dinosaur once with a 10 minute wait.  As we headed toward the exit I snapped a quick photo of the wait times.  At 11am the longest line was 20 minutes:

  

One last note on our way out was that there are no longer turnstiles to exit Animal Kingdom!  There was just a big gate manned by a single cast member.  I stopped to ask if this was permanent and it sounds like they will be fully converted to Magic Bands very soon and no longer require a turnstile to exit.

I hope you enjoyed this morning tour of Animal Kingdom!  In just a couple hours you can see so much at this very unique park.  I hope you will take some time to go wild at Animal Kingdom on your next visit.  It’s a jungle out there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Exclusive Perks At Disney Hotels

By Kristina Murphy

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When planning a Walt Disney World Resort vacation, choosing to stay on-property opens the door to a certain amount of built in perks, namely:

Disney’s Magical Express - a complimentary shuttle for resort guests between Orlando International Airport and the WDW Resort.
Extra Magic Hours - extended hours either before or after (or both, depending on the season) regular operating hours avaialble just for resort guests.
Free transportation - buses, monorails and watercraft are all at guests’ disposal, and/or parking fees are waived at theme park autoplazas with valid resort identification.
Resort Hotel Delivery - all merchandise can be arranged to be delivered directly to WDW Resort hotels, with no additional charge.

While these perks are reason enough for many guests to book their vacation package, believe it or not, there are some additional – as well as some ‘little known’ – bonuses at some of the resorts that are worth considering. The following is a list of some fun perks that might come in handy when planning your next trip – by no means is it comprehensive, however, so please share any other fun tips you’ve found!

Resort(s): Disney’s Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans (Riverside) Resorts

Step Into The Story With Immersive Theming

(source: The Walt Disney Company)

All WDW Resort Hotels tell a story, but these special rooms go beyond the theming of the grounds and hallways, and immerse your family into an adventure from the minute you wake up! Art of Animation has family suites themed around Finding Nemo, Cars and The Lion King, as well as standard rooms with The Little Mermaid decor. At Caribbean Beach, you can be a real buccaneer in a pirate-themed room, or choose the fairytale experience with Royal Guest Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside.

Resort: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (and Villas)

Get a taste of Africa with Culinary Tour(s) at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge 

(source)

Lindsay DuBose wrote a fantastic review (HERE) about this daily tour that departs each evening at 4 p.m. from the Boma desk. Tours are led by Cultural Representatives, special Disney Cast Members on exchange from a variety of participating African countries and feature colorful descriptions of the many sensory aspects of the lodge’s signature dining experiences, Boma and Jiko. Although it is open to anyone (not limited to just registered guests) I considered it a perk on this list, since it’s the most convenient for guests staying at either the lodge or villas. For additional information, or to confirm dates, consult the Resort Activities Calendar or call (407) 938-3000.

Note: there is also a tour of Sanaa (review HERE) daily at 4 p.m. which lasts 20 minutes and departs from their podium at Kidani Village.

Embark upon the “African-Inspired, Disney-Designed” Tour

Lindsay shared her thoughts HERE about this daily 20-minute tour, a colorful look into the inspiration behind the resort. Tour departs at 4:30 p.m. from the Johari Treasures Gift Shop. For additional information, or to confirm dates, consult the Resort Activities Calendar or call (407) 938-3000.

Journey on the Wanyama Safari and Dinner

Unlike the previously mentioned experiences, this special booking is exclusive to guests of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas only. Limited to just 12 guests, this personalized experience features an animal-spotting tour aboard a safari vehicle, plus a decadent meal at Jiko. Reservations must made be through the itinerary planning office or Concierge at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge at (407) 938-4755.

Resort: Disney’s Beach Club Resort (and Villas) (+ Disney’s Yacht Club Resort)

(source)

Take a Dip at Stormalong Bay

All WDW Resort hotels have pools, but the swimming complex known as Stormalong Bay at the Yacht and Beach Club is definitely a guest favorite. While guests are generally dissuaded from pool-hopping in general, proper identification is a must here. Erin Foster provides a comprehensive guide to this, and other deluxe and villa-resort pools here, along with detailed descriptions and helpful photos.

Resort: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (and Villas)

Discover History With The Wonders of the Wilderness Lodge Tour 

(source: The Walt Disney Company)

Also previously reviewed in Lindsay DuBose’s review (HERE), this unique hour-long tour takes place Wednesday through Saturday at 9 a.m. and features a look at the history, design and inspiration of the resort. Like the Culinary Tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, this tour is open to all guests, but due to its location, may be most convenient for guests of the Lodge and/or Villas. For additional information or to confirm dates, consult the Wilderness Lodge Resort Activities Calendar (on site) or call (407) 824-3200.

Resort(s): Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, and Disney’s Polynesian Resort

(source)

Travel With The Greatest of Ease (And Options) 

Although free transportation is included with every Walt Disney World Resort stay, nothing beats the array of options of the three “monorail resorts.” Along with the resort monorail, the Grand Floridian and Polynesian provide boat launches to the Magic Kingdom, as well as bus service to the other theme parks and Downtown Disney. Additionally, the Contemporary (and DVC component, Bay Lake Tower) provides an easy walking path to the entrance of the Magic Kingdom.

Side note(s):

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Ft. Wilderness also enjoy resort launch services to the Magic Kingdom. For other water taxi services, also check out Disney’s Port Orleans, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa and Disney’s Old Key West for service to Downtown Disney, or Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club, Disney’s BoardWalk or the Swan & Dolphin to access Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Check Erin’s comprehensive transportation guide HERE for more details.
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa also offers walking paths to the Downtown Disney shopping area.

Other fun perks offered at multiple Walt Disney World Resort Hotel locations:

(source)

Relax with a fun family campfire at these 14 locations: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas – Kidani Village, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort (both French Quarter and Riverside), Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and the Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort (note: Ft Wilderness’ campfire experience includes a Sing-a-long with Chip ‘n’ Dale, see Daisy’s recent post on that experience here). Call 407-WDW-PLAY (939-7529) for more information.
Watch a movie under the stars – offered at multiple resorts, call 407-WDW-PLAY (939-7529) for current schedules.

 

 What other special perks do you know about that are offered at certain WDW Resort Hotels?

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