Category Archives: Extras

Excitement for Disney Springs

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Walt Disney World is a massive resort destination for family fun. There are four distinct parks, including Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Each park has its own unique theme and feel. EPCOT is actually an acronym for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. The theme here is clear throughout EPCOT, with a focus on science, planet Earth and Space. Hollywood Studios, especially with the new additions of Star Wars: Galaxy Edge and Toy Story Land, is where the movies come alive. Animal Kingdom is a combination of a zoo and a theme park. Magic Kingdom is the “happiest place on Earth”. By itself, it is home to six different lands that bring wonder and joy to children and adults. There is even more fun to be had at the two waterparks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. But what about Disney Springs?\

I have been going to Walt Disney World with my children for over 10 years. I have not gone to Disney Springs since 2013. There is just too much to do with little kids and there is not enough time. Now that they are older I think it is finally time to make our return to Disney Springs. We are now 10 days away from our vacation and I am surprised by how excited I am to visit Disney Springs. We are trying something a little different this trip. We usually fly to Orlando early and make it to our first park around midday. This time we are flying out early afternoon and will be going to Disney Springs that first night. I got a reservation at T-Rex Dinner which I have been hoping to visit for some time now.

Credit: Disney

We are excited to walk around Disney Springs and take in all the sights. We have purposely not looked much into what we will do there and we are excited for an unplanned night of leisure. There are so many shops and places to stop for a snack and a drink. There seems to be live music everywhere and everything Disney. I think it is going to be a great start to set the stage for an awesome week.

Disney Dining Plan Returns and a look towards 2024

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The Disney Dining Plan is finally back!!! Missing since the start of the Covid pandemic,  the Dining Plan returns in January 2024. Check out why I missed it so much here.

Magic Kingdom

The Disney Dining Plan allows guests to budget their dining expenses.  Every time I used it, I pretty much didn’t pay for any food while I was in the parks. You know how many meals and how many snacks you have each day, and if you stick to the plan, you won’t end up going overboard on food. I found when I did have the Dining Plan, it was easy to refrain from excessive purchases.

Hollywood Studios

Big News Under the Radar

The return of the Disney Dining plan wasn’t the only jaw dropping information included in Disney’s recent 2024 announcements. Without admittedly providing any details, Walt Disney World acknowledged that Disney Genie Plus needs some changes. Disney reportedly will make Disney Genie simpler, and allow for more planning and purchases before the day of the visit. That is amazing news. I do enjoy Disney Genie Plus, but as Disney (responsibly) admits, using it takes away from the experiences enjoying a day in the theme park. It takes a lot of time and attention to plan the next reservation. When this is done every few hours, it can seem like you are on your phone a little too much.

Should you buy Disney Genie Plus???

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Walt Disney World is certainly a popular vacation destination. There are four distinct parks, including Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. No other vacation involves so much planning and offers such a diverse list of activities. Every vacation to Walt Disney World is unique on its own. Being so popular (and so amazing), means that the cost of the vacation is expensive. And that is just the start. It goes up from expensive to pretty much astronomical. Therefore, budget decisions must be made. Things to decide on include resorts, dining, souvenirs, and other extras. Then there is Disney Genie Plus. It costs can vary by day, but expect about $15 per person per day, which can easily add up to a major expense. Disney Genie Plus allows users to make reservations (the old Fast Pass) for some rides throughout the day. So The question remains, should you purchase Disney Genie Plus.

Hollywood Studios

The Definitive Answer to the Question

The simple answer is YES. You need Disney Genie Plus. They way to think about Disney Genie Plus is that however it works out, it is really amazing to skip major lines on at least some attractions. It actually makes a big difference (especially for the kids) to get on a ride without a long wait. It makes for a nice break from the lines and makes them more bearable when you get back in one.

But the complicated answer is you don’t need it every day. Disney Genie Plus works best at Magic Kingdom. Because there are so many rides, you can get the most amount of reservations. The other parks have much more limited options, and it becomes less valuable. Animal Kingdom really has the least benefit and it can probably be avoided. Especially if you can get there early and rope drop. Hollywood Studios is so busy and the reservations go so fast, it is also a struggle to use Disney Genie Plus. But even if it only gets you a few rides, it can make a difference as Hollywood Studios usually has the longest waits. EPCOT is the second best park for using Disney Genie Plus. There are surprisingly a large amount of quality rides to book and they are some pretty great ones (Soarin’, Frozen Ever After, Test Track).

Art of Disney: Hidden Gem

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Each of the four parks at Walt Disney World each have their own unique character. And within each park there is so much activity that it is unavoidable to miss things. This is especially true when kids are so excited to get to the next ride. There is often little time to just slowly explore and take it all in. There are restaurants, snacks and shops around every corner. No park has more to discover than EPCOT. With World Showcase and a reinvented World Celebration, the journey through EPCOT can border on overwhelming. Within The American Adventure of World Showcase, there is a shop called Art of Disney. This artist showcase deserves a visit on every trip to Walt Disney World.

Loved this Inside Out artwork

Art of Disney sells quality and unique Disney artwork. We have made purchase here three times over the years. The prices are certainly reasonable for pieces that will decorate your home. They make great souvenirs and gifts. Purchasing art from Walt Disney World is a joyous moment that enables you to bring some of the magic home. We love having our Disney memories hanging on the walls.

A Mickey Mouse drawing we took home

Art of Disney is also an art gallery for all things Disney. It is wonderful to spend time just admiring the beauty. There are always new pieces to check out. They have other collectibles including figures and decorations. There is original art and limited edition items. Maybe one of your purchases will end up being a valuable item. It is said that art is also an investment. Why not invest in something that you will love to look at every day?

Another EPCOT Hidden Gem

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EPCOT is a BIG park. To be honest, I find out something new every time I go. It is too big to really get to know in one day. But at the same time, it lacks some of the thrill rides that Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios have. It is hard to justify spending multiple days there on a vacation that is not super long. So there are sections of the park that people don’t get to explore and they unfortunately miss out on experiences. This is totally understandable as there is just not enough time to do everything.

The Seas with Nemo and Friends might just be the most overlooked area of EPCOT. There are no thrill rides here. The Finding Nemo right is cute, but it is not a big draw. Turtle Talk with Crush is not one of my favorites. Even the restaurant Corral Reef (which I personally love) is one of the easiest places to get a reservation. It doesn’t help that the area is basically tucked away in the corner of EPCOT. However, there is one thing here that should be a bigger draw.

There is a really nice aquarium here that you should spend some time checkingout. Sea turtles, dolphins and sharks can all be found in the massive tank. It is a wonderful indoor (think A/C) space where kids can run around and enjoy some freedom. I’m a big proponent of letting them run free at times as a little break from waiting in lines and being forced into compliance with the itinerary. Bigger kids can also learn from many of the friendly cast members.

The aquarium is accessible after the Finding Nemo ride or by walking into the unadvertised entrance to the left of the Nemo entrance.

Magic Kingdom Fireworks are Totally Worth It

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There are some things that Walt Disney World does better than anybody else.  There are 4 distinct and amazing amusement parks and 2 water parks. Planning vacations to Walt Disney World takes months and it never stops.  There are always more decisions to be made and choices to be considered.  And in the end, not all plans are carried out. Sometimes it is a ride that just doesn’t make it into the day. And sometimes days fizzle out and the night time spectaculars get skipped. But here is why you maybe shouldn’t skip Magic Kingdom Fireworks.

Magic Kingdom

I understand why the plans for catching the Magic Kingdom fireworks can get scrapped. Days at Walt Disney World can be long. Very long. The fireworks are pretty late in the day and sometimes people just get too tired. The idea of the fireworks can itself also be very daunting. There is going to be a large crowd. It is going to be nuts trying to leave. You have to find a spot and stay there in the crowd waiting for the show. I get that some people won’t want to do that. It’s much easier to duck out before the fiireworks, and beat the rush to the resort. And it’s just fireworks. Everyone has seen them before. But you haven’t experienced the Disney magic of this night time spectacular.

Walt Disney World usually changes the Magic Kingdom fireworks annually.  There is a theme that often accompanies the ongoing theme throughout Walt Disney World. And every year they seem to get more and more advanced. Unsurprisingly,  the current theme celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World.

Magic Kingdom fireworks are an event. It is amazing Disney World can produce them night after night. The fireworks are beautiful over the backdrop of Magic Kingdom.  Cinderella’s Castle is lit up with movie scenes, characters and synchronized lights. The excitement of the crowd creates a shared experience of wonder and joy. Any feelings of angst or worry are melted away. The excitement will carry your family all the way back to the resort and beyond. And of course, your children will absolutely love the fireworks and will talk about them with such exuberance, you will be so glad you stuck it out. Well until they inevitably fall asleep on the way back.

A couple packing tips

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Packing for vacation can be cumbersome and stressful. But I like to consider packing as part of the vacation and treat it as such. It should be fun and exciting. And a vacation to Walt Disney World is going to be fun. And yet there is so much to think about planning that even packing is a part of the process. But there are a few tips that I have learned over the years.

We always have a backpack in the park. It has gotten smaller as the kids have grown up, but it is still a necessity. We will put our reusable water bottles and snacks for the day in there. We also put some small toys and fidgets for the kids to occupy them in line, and a phone charger.

I pack snacks and breakfast bars in my suitcase. Having these items are convenient and they save money and time inside the park. Also once the snacks are consumed, there will be room in the suitcase for souvenirs.

It takes up alot of room in the suitcase, but we bring an extra pair of sneakers for everyone. Sometimes the rain will get so heavy, so fast that your sneakers will get really, really wet. We have had to dry sneakers with a hair dryer, and that process is horrible. It takes forever with a group of four, and the room will smell for days. This is especially true in the summer months, because it will rain. The last time we went to Walt Disney World in August, it rained almost every day. One of the days was a washout after about 3 pm and we tried to make it work. But our sneakers paid the price.

Rainy day at Hollywood Studios

A sweatshirt is usually not needed, but it sometimes can be in the cooler months. We will wear or bring the sweatshirt for the flight and then just have it in the room if we need it. We won’t bring it to the park every day, but only if the weather forecast calls for it.

A Disney World and Universal Studios Cold War?

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Walt Disney World is constantly a work in progress. There are new rides under construction, other rides being refurbished, and sadly others being closed. This has been going on forever. I am not sure if it is my imagination, but it seems to me this process has been escalating recently. The 50th anniversary began in October of 2021. Covid-19 derailed many of the ambitious plan, but it still brought about many changes. Some of the rides that have opened, or should have opened, are some of the most advanced and exciting rides ever to be built at Walt Disney World. These rides include Ratatouille, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Tron Lightcycle/ Run. These are some major rides. This might be the biggest expansion ever undertaken at Walt Disney World.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

It makes me wonder why Walt Disney World is seemingly improving so aggressively. At the same time, thanks to demand for Harry Potter World, Universal Studios Orlando has seen such a large increase in attendance, it has become more competitive with Walt Disney World. Universal Studios Orlando has recently made many additions including new resorts and their water park, Volcano Bay.

Now for the main event. Universal Studios is building an entirely new theme park. Details are scarce and rumors are plentiful. Some sure things are that the park will include Super Mario Land and more Harry Potter attractions. Epic Universe, as it is called, will also be massive. This will certainly force Walt Disney World to continue to expand and provide bigger and better entertainment. The market dynamics and the spirit of competition will invariably benefit guests to Walt Disney World for years to come.

Wilderness Explorers at Animal Kingdom

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Walt Disney World is a massive resort destination for family fun. There are four distinct parks, including Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Each park has its own unique theme and feel. Animal Kingdom is a combination of a zoo and a theme park. Animal Kingdom is the largest park and is like a walk through nature. It is amazing how walking from Asia to Africa feels like you are being transported across continents.

There is a fun adventure waiting within Animal Kingdom that many people are completely unaware of. It is called Wilderness Explorers. It is a completely free program where kids receive a guide book full of information and activities. Kids can then complete challenges throughout Animal Kingdom. They earn stickers at each challenge location that they add to their guidebooks.

My children absolutely loved Wilderness Explorers. They had something fun to talk about throughout our day at Animal Kingdom. They kept busy with the books while waiting and lines and during other down times. They were so excited to be completing challenges and felt real accomplishment when they finished the program. The guidebooks themselves are great souvenirs. The Disney Cast members that work for the Wilderness Explorers program are obviously amazing. They are energetic and enthusiastic and really are happy to work with the children.

It might seem like a silly thing or something extra that will get in the way of the plans of the day. But Wilderness Explorers is so enjoyable and only enhances the experience at Animal Kingdom.

We miss the Disney Dining Plan

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The Covid19 pandemic caused so many rippling effects throught Walt Disney World. While much is back to normal, Disney also used the pandemic pause as a reset in several ways. One thing that has yet to return is the Disney Dining plan.

Hollywood Studios

What is the Disney Dining Plan?

The Disney Dining plan is pre-purchased meal plan. There are a few different options, and the names of them are a little confusing. The plans give each guest an allotment of meal options each day. Guests also get a reusable resort drink bottle.

I recommend the Disney Dining Plan, which as it’s name implies I guess is the standard plan. This gives each guest one table service meal, one quick service meal and two snacks per day. This is my ideal Disney Dining strategy. I like the one sit down meal each day to relax, regroup and revitalize. I like the quick service meal to complement that as a fast grab and go, because I don’t want to spend too much time in one day on eating.

The complete options offered are:

  • Quick Service Dining Plan
    • 2 quick service meals and 2 snacks per night
  • Disney Dining Plan
    • 1 table service, 1 quick service and 2 snacks per night
  • Disney Dining Plus
    • 2 combined meals, both can be table service or quick, 2 snacks per night
  • Disney Deluxe Dining Plan
    • 3 combined meals, 2 snacks per night

So what does that all mean. Table service restaurants are basically sit down meals with a waiter. Quick service meals are cafeteria type places where you grab your food and go. Snacks can be non alcoholic drinks, or most other food items. Each meal allotted includes a dessert and a drink. Table service meals include one alcoholic beverage too.

Other points to consider

Thie dining plan provides each allotment per night of your vacation. They are all given upon arrival. So you can use an extra snack or meal on a day when you need it. A quick service meal can be converted to 2 snacks if the need arises. The meal plan is for everyone over 3. Kids under 3 can order their own food, or have a few bites off other plates. Some more expensive restaurants, like Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom, take table service meals. The system works amazingly (no surprise) and it is easy to keep track of.

So why do I love the Disney Dining Plan?

The Disney Dining Plan lets vacationers pay ahead of time for almost all of their food. I truly miss that. It is wonderful to arrive at Disney World knowing you have already paid for almost all of your vacation. It also limits the amount you spend, because you know ahead of time what you have available to you that is already paid for. Now, since you are paying for all your food, I find I spend more frivolous.

Disney has repeatedly said the Dining Plan was returning. However, there is still no timeline available.