A Few Tips for a Short Trip

Posted on September 19, 2022 by Michael Luongo

Vacations to Walt Disney World have so many variations. There are so many things to do and decisions to be made. Some families prefer a relaxing vacation with maximum time hanging out by the pool, while others arrive early at the park and stay all day. Many vacationers stay a week or more and still leave wanting more. There are also families that might only stay for a few days because of a number of factors including budgeting and time constraints. A short trip can seem even more overwhelming because there is the added stress of feeling rushed to get everything done. Here are some ideas to relieve stress and enjoy your vacation.

The most important thing to remember when visiting Walt Disney World is that it is supposed to be fun. It seems simple, and kind of stupid, but it is still something to remember. Even with all the planning and considerations ahead of time, there WILL be bumps in the road. This is especially true for short trips where you will inevitably be trying to squeeze everything in. There have been times when I wanted to make a showtime, and just didn’t make it for one reason or another.

Dining reservations might be hard to come by. The dining reservation system opens when your vacation is 60 days away from the first day. So during a long stay, you can book the last days before many other people. The inverse is also true, that during a short stay, many people have already made their reservations by the time you are able to make yours. That means you have to accept that you will likely not get your top choices. And don’t feel like you need to sit down and eat every meal. I usually only do one table service meal anyway. On a short trip, it would be wise to only sit at a restaurant you really want, and not settle for anything.

It might be worth it to purchase the park hopper option on a short trip. The park hopper allows guests to go to 2 parks in one day. This way, you will at least be able to visit all the parks. A great benefit of this is that each park has their own hours, and generally Epcot and Magic Kingdom are open the latest. Also Animal Kingdom usually opens the earliest and you can really hit most of the attractions in half of a day. This allows you to start at an early park and then go to another that’s open later and really maximize your time. And to save money if you plan to park hop on the back end of the trip, you cab add that option after you used your base ticket the first few days. Something to remember is that Hollywood Studios and EPCOT are very close to each other and you can even walk from one to the other in about 20 minutes.

Finally, prioritize the attractions you definitely want to do. With a little luck you should be able to do everything you want at EPCOT and Animal Kingdom. But, assume you won’t have time to do all of the major attractions in one day at Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom. And you won’t want to spend so much time in lines you can’t really enjoy the Disney experience. So make sure to hit attractions that don’t have long waits. And again, don’t rush around trying to do everything. Just enjoy what the vacation brings you.

Construction Update: Tron Lightcycle/ Run

Posted on September 13, 2022 by Michael Luongo

Disney D23 Expo concluded this past weekend. As usual, there was so much news coming out of this event it can get overwhelming. Disney announced a ton of new movies and Disney+ shows. There were also many Disney Parks updates around the globe. By far the long awaited news that got my interest was the Tron Lightcycle/ Run update.

Tron Lightcycle/ Run is an innovative roller coaster under construction at Magic Kingdom. And it has been under construction forever. It was supposed to open for the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World in 2021. Unfortunately, the COVID19 pandemic derailed those plans. Construction started before the pandemic, so anyone that has visited Magic Kingdom over the last few years has seen the construction ongoing. It has been progressing at a snail’s pace. Tron Lightcycle/ Run will bring a much needed world class thrill ride to Magic Kingdom to help push Walt Disney World into the future.

And while construction has been under way, Walt Disney World Railroad has been closed, as it passes under or through the construction zone. So hopefully the Railroad will be opening again soon. Because I do miss that ride around Magic Kingdom.

This news is, however, met with some disappointment. Tron Lightcycle/ Run has been seen to be in operation recently with theories of ride testing circulating the online community. It seemed as though the ride was closely approaching an opening date. Selfishly, I was hoping it would be complete by my next trip to Walt Disney World this January.

Mickey Cartoons in Theaters at Disney World

Posted on September 5, 2022 by Michael Luongo

There are so many things to do in Walt Disney World and so much planning that goes along with it. Most likely, you are not highly anticipating watching cartoons in a movie theater. But you should be. There are a couple of spots to catch Mickey Mouse on the big screen in EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. These attractions should not be overlooked. Kids love seeing Mickey Mouse and there aren’t many attractions featuring this original Disney character. These theaters also provide a great place to sit in the A/C and cool off and relax.

Vacation Fun is located in Hollywood Studios behind Echo Lake near Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! It is an original short played in a cute theater. The animation is a throw back to older Mickey Mouse cartoons and not the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse style. The story is funny and kids and adults love it. There are also fun photo spots on the way out of the theater.

Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival is one of my favorite attractions in all of Walt Disney World. It is so underrated. It is located in EPCOT behind Journey into Imagination with Figment next to the Land in World Nature. The presentation usually includes 3 short films. The second two films are selected from several different options that rotate through performances. The first film is always a Mickey Mouse short. And it is so good. The first time we saw it we were blown away. We never expected it to be so great. The film is in 3D and the effects are top of the line. It is hilarious and so much fun. We make sure to catch this show every time we are in EPCOT.

Attraction Profile: Mickey’s Philharmagic

Posted on August 30, 2022 by Michael Luongo

Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is consistently one of the busiest amusement parks in the world. Undoubtedly one of the most congested areas of Magic Kingdom is Fantasyland. It is also the biggest section of Magic Kingdom and connects Tomorrowland to Liberty Square behind Cinderella’s Castle There also isn’t much shade and it gets very hot. There is everything here that Magic Kingdom has to offer. Great rides, popular characters, signature dining, quick service restaurants and wonderful attractions. It can be difficult to navigate and certainly gets overwhelming. There are so many decisions to be made. And they need to be made quick, as wait times fluctuate rapidly. One decision we never regret is to make sure we head into Mickey’s Philharmagic.

Mickey’s Philharmagic is a gorgeous production. Guests enter the theater for an orchestra performance. Through some hijinks, Donald Duck ends up on a musical adventure through some of the greatest Disney movie musical numbers. This show is an absolute must for any fan of Disney music. You will find yourself singing along and dancing in your seat. It is wildly entertaining.

Mickey’s Philharmagic also offers a great benefit that many of the attractions at Walt Disney World share. They provide a cool place to have a seat while enjoying the show. The queue is almost entirely inside and the wait is almost never more than 15 minutes. All together it can be a solid break of about 20 minutes to a half hour.

The most essential Disney World Accessory

Posted on August 23, 2022 by Michael Luongo

There are some simple ways to save money on a Walt Disney World vacation. The easiest way is to bring a reusable water bottle. There are so many other great benefits as well.

Walt Disney World charges a lot for single use water bottles. They can cost up to $4 each. On a family vacation this certainly adds up. It could be hundreds of dollars on this expense alone. Because of this, people end up drinking less water. This leads to hunger, and more snacks at even greater expense. In the Florida heat, especially for travellers from cooler climates, water intake should be increased. Combined with lots of walking, this can create an unhealthy scenario. Dehydration can have many unfortunate side effects that include things like increased motion sickness and exhaustion. These are obviously especially troublesome on a Walt Disney World Vacation.

I have found that bringing reusable water bottles has certainly helped us increase our water intake. It is so much easier to quench your thirst without having to stop and buy water. Walt Disney World is adding filtered water bubblers. But in the meantime, we refill at water fountains or in bathroom sinks. We usually start the day by filling the bottles with ice in the morning before heading to the parks. This gives us cold water most of the day.

And one final point, Walt Disney World sells reusable water bottles. They make for great souvenirs after returning home. And we still use them for things like sports and car rides.

A Quick Hit on Character Dining

Posted on August 17, 2022 by Michael Luongo

There are many planning considerations for a Walt Disney World vacation. With four unique theme parks, exciting rides and beautiful shows, the planning is certainly continuous. Still nothing might require more thought than planning meals. Under no other circumstances do people plan meal times and restaurants 60 days in advance.

Well one easy way to narrow it down, is to plan on some character dining. If you have your heart set on world class meals, look elsewhere. But for this Disney Dad, we are on vacation in Walt Disney World for reasons just like this. Kids absolutely love having the characters come by their dinner. And the pictures are wonderful. And their faces are so cute and they are so excited. Those memories are what Disney Dads strive to capture.

You might read reviews for these character experiences that they are expensive or that the food isn’t great. Well yes they are pricey and the food is probably about average. But the experience can’t be beat.

Magic Kingdom
- Crystal Palace
- Be Our Guest
EPCOT
- Garden Grill
- Akershus
Hollywood Studios
- Hollywood & Vine
Animal Kingdom
- Tusker House

Strollers in Disney World

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Michael Luongo

A Walt Disney World vacation involves a lot of walking. So you are going to want a stroller for your kids. They are great for moving across the parks quickly when little legs arent fast enough. They are also great for kids to rest and nap. This is true even for bigger kids. Especially at the end of a long day. Luckily, there are several different ways to access a stroller in Disney World. Of course, it involves some elements of planning. Here is what I have discovered over the years.

With just one child, a small and lightweight stroller is ideal. It’s is great for portability. You don’t want to bring your best big stroller. You can bring your stroller right up to the plane and they will check it there and get it for you when you land. This way you can use it in the airport, which I have found to be helpful.

Another popular option is to rent a stroller from Walt Disney World. Utilizing this strategy allows guests to grab a stroller as they enter the park and drop it off when leaving. This does make bus travel to the park and back to the resort much easier. But there are some drawbacks. Sometimes a sleepy child is best left in the stroller until you get on the bus. Especially if there are lines and a wait it makes it much easier. Also, it gets to be annoying to have to go grab a stroller every morning upon park entry.

My favorite stroller plan is renting through ScooterBug. This company has a partnership with Walt Disney World. They will deliver your rental stroller to your resort on your arrival day. I have used this service several times and have always had the stroller waiting for me when I get there.

This really is the best of both worlds. You get a stroller without having to travel with it and you still get to use it traveling around Walt Disney World. We get a good stroller and the price is reasonable. We request a color other than black, because it makes it easier to find in the stroller parking. ScooterBug also rents electric vehicles for anyone in your party that might have mobility issues. We rented this once as well, and it really madea difference.

So now that you have your stroller in Walt Disney World, what are the best ways to get around. There are many stroller parking locations spread throughout each park. They are clearly marked and easy to find. So guests can park strollers, check out some attractions in an area. With bigger kids, we would leave the stroller for hours at a time and then head back and get it.

Best and worst rides at Magic Kingdom

Posted on August 7, 2022 by Michael Luongo

Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is a massive amusement park. There are so many iconic attractions that it is not possible to get to everything in one day. There are some rides that are universally accepted as the best of the best. Everything else can be a matter of personal taste. I will give you a few ideas here that I hope can help you decide what might be best for you if there just isn’t enough time. These are all tough choices to make, as there really are so many classic rides.

Best of the Best

These are the attractions that you should make sure to experience. Splash Mountain, Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain are all top picks here. They are fantastic rides and well worth the wait. Mickey’s Philharmagic is a fun adventure through the music of Disney Movies. Peter Pan’s Flight often has a long line but the ride does justify the wait. Even though the characters are dated, children love the ride through the sky.

Things that can be skipped

I honestly do not like typing this. But there are several rides at Magic Kingdom that just aren’t worth the wait. Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin is so dated that it is just not that enjoyable. Toy Story Mania in Hollywood Studios is such a better ride. Tomorrowland Speedway has a slow moving line that is entirely in the sun. There is often a strong odor from the engines of the cars. The ride itself is just ok. It’s a Small World is iconic and classic and boring (yikes). It is something to experience once at some point, but I wouldn’t miss out on other rides for it. Jungle Cruise is in the same boat (pun intended). These rides certainly appeal to many people, but I have found that many others just don’t like them. Lastly, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a fun little coaster, but the wait is often so long that it is just disappointing. Again bested by Hollywood Studios, Slinky Dog Dash is much better.

Everything Else

There are still plenty of rides left over and choices to be made. These rides should be considered based on available wait times and personal preference. This list is not exhaustive but includes Pirates of the Caribbean, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Haunted Mansion

The Mountains of Magic Kingdom

Posted on July 31, 2022 by Michael Luongo

Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is one of the most visited amusement parks in the world. It is ever changing with new and innovative attractions. But for many fans, Magic Kingdom was built on the three mountains. Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

These three mountain rides are classic Disney rides. They are thoroughly enjoyable. They are long rides and are totally worth the wait. Disney made rides that accommodate small children while at the same time provide a thrilling experience for all ages. And it is nearly impossible to pick which ride is your favorite.

Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain is a traditional log ride that Disney elevated into an icon. While the theming is changing to Princess and the Frog, I am sure the ride itself will remain almost the same. There are various little drops and lifts throughout the ride that keeps building the anticipation. And that famous drop that everyone can see from Frontierland looks so scary but is so fun. So Disney again perfected that part of the ride. Kids especially build a healthy anxiety for the drop which culminates in inevitable laughter and a splash of water. So for anyone hesitant to enjoy this experience, the drop isn’t bad at all and most of the time most of the riders don’t get too wet.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

This coaster is a major thrill ride that lets kids that are at least 40 inches tall get in on the fun. It really is great. Kids are laughing and screaming the whole time. This ride should be avoided for people with motion sickness. It is fast and does seem like an out of control railroad. Guests slide and move and lean in the car as the coaster careens down the mountain. The ride is much longer than most roller coasters. It also provides amazing views of Magic Kingdom.

Space Mountain

Unlike the other two mountains, Space Mountain is made for bigger kids and the minimum height requirement is 44 inches. The ride is much faster and much scarier. It is mostly in darkness, with limited lights and flashes. The ride car is somewhat unusual, as it fits 3 guests in a single line in the rocket themed car. It certainly causes some anxiety for parents as they can’t sit next to their kids to make sure they are safe. That is something parents should prepare for because it can be a bit stressful to put your kid in alone in front of you. But the ride is totally worth it. Like Thunder Mountain, the ride is longer than most roller coasters. The photos Disney takes of the passengers on their mission to space are also some of the best of any ride.

Not So Secret Indoor Playgrounds in EPCOT

Posted on July 22, 2022 by Michael Luongo

Walt Disney World is known for having exciting and innovative attractions with the most recognizable characters. There are so many things to do that there never seems to be enough time. Some families run from attraction to attraction while others try for a more relaxing pace. Both of these families should find themselves at the an indoor playground for a relaxing and cooling time.

Disney Dads want to make sure they maximize their Disney World vacations by taking every shortcut and planning accordingly. But they also know sometimes kids just want to run around. You might think kids wouldn’t want to waste time in a playground when they could be going on a ride. But they enjoy it so much it is worth a stop.

There is an indoor playground within Mission:Space. You can just walk into the exit to get there without going on the ride. And since Mission: Space isn’t exactly meant for little kids, many people do not know about this area. It is a great place for younger ones to burn off energy and take a break from waiting in lines. Parents can sit and get out of the heat and the sun. It’s also a great place to wait out a passing storm.

While it’s not a playground, there is another indoor play space exiting Journey into Imagination with Figment.

This area has music, lights and sounds tied to the attraction. Kids can just run around and try things out without needing close supervision. There are instruments and computers to explore. It usually isn’t very crowded like some of the other interactive areas (like Test Track).

Disney Dads know that their Walt Disney World vacations are endless fun for their children. Even when their fun is just running in a playground.

Disney By Dads

Ideas for planning your Disney World Vacation

Category Archives: In the Parks