Kite Tails at Animal Kingdom

Posted on July 18, 2022 by Michael Luongo

Walt Disney World is full of attractions and entertainment. It can be a little overwhelming at times. There is so much to do and vacationers want to catch everything. There are massive parades and small street performances and everything in between. Then obviously there are the rides and shows. With such a busy day, it is easy to miss things or not even know they are happening. Sometimes we plan on going to a performance, but get lost in the day and miss it. Side note, My Day on the Disney Genie App allows you to put show times onto your schedule so you won’t forget them. Kite Tails at Animal Kingdom is one of these performances that can should be seen, but can be easily missed.

Animal Kingdom is such a large park that it can take a long time to get across. So in order to get to Kite Tails, it does take a little bit of effort. But it is worth it. Kite Tails is a prototypical Walt Disney World Show. It is short at about 15 minutes. But it is creative, magical and beautiful. It seems so simple, yet it is elegant and wonderful. Parents can be intrigued by it, and children love it and they love the characters brought to life.

A lot of attractions at Walt Disney World have such high expectations, that they inevitably leave many guests disappointed. Kite Tails is a fun and quick performance that is enjoyable and it is perfect for what it is. Walt Disney World is constantly creating new shows and working hard to give guests the best they can offer. Remember that when planning your vacation and reading online reviews.

Drop the Rope

Posted on July 11, 2022 by Michael Luongo

Some Walt Disney World vacation tips are more impactful than others. One of the most important tricks implemented by veteran Disney Dads is the rope drop.

The term rope drop means entering an amusement park right when they open. At Walt Disney World rope drop is an event in and of itself. It seems the secret is out. There is a line to get through security and then another line to get through the gates. The only way to effectively rope drop at Walt Disney World is to get there early. Really early. And that distinction makes all the difference. If you don’t arrive early enough, you will not get into the park with enough time to beat the initial crowds. We try to get there at least 30 minutes before park opens. That’s enough time to get off the bus or other transport and get to the front of the park 15 to 20 minutes before open. And that 15 minutes is crucial. If you don’t make it in before that initial rush, then you practically lose most of the advantage of the rope drop. It may seem trivial, but that 15 or 20 minutes makes all the difference. For example, with an 8:30 park open we will get there at 8. Usually we will then be through the gates and in the park right around 830, because they do open the gates a few minutes early. If we were to arrive at 8:30, we might not get through the gates until after 9. So we just lost a half hour in a sparsely populated Disney World. Even worse, if we arrived around 9, it would probably take close to an hour to actually get into the park.

When we get into whatever park we are going to, we have a plan for which rides we are going on. It will obviously be one that will have a long line later in the day. We also consider which ride we might have a lightning lane reservation for first, because we don’t want to miss it by trying to start on the other side of the park. So just like the rest of your Disney Vacation, you need a plan, and it needs to be flexible. Usually we can go to 2 attractions back to back with little wait time. This is especially true for resort guests who currently can enjoy a half hour early admittance. Some of the most popular rides attract a massive crowd immediately. One such ride is Avatar: Flight of Passage. Pretty much everyone rope dropping Animal Kingdom goes there. So if you are not one of the first in line, it might be something to avoid. I have seen waits up to 45 minutes as soon as the park opens. We usually go the other way in Animal Kingdom. We can ride Dinosaur and Expedition Everest both without any wait.

Walt Disney World parks do not empty out early like some other amusement parks. You can not hope to ride Space Mountain multiple times in a row at the end of the night. The wait times decline, but never is there no wait. That makes the rope drop so much more important. It gives guests their best chance to enjoy a ride or two with an amazingly short wait.

Oga’s Cantina

Posted on July 5, 2022 by Michael Luongo

It is easy to dismiss a trip to Oga’s Cantina. It is in high demand and difficult to get reservations. It’s specifically themed to Star Wars and maybe you are not a Star Wars family. There are only drinks served besides a few snacks. But it is so fun that everyone in your family will enjoy it. It is an exciting little break during a busy day in Hollywood Studios. Disney Dads know that their Walt Disney World Vacation must include new, different and exciting options.

The atmosphere inside Oga’s Cantina is awesome. Guests are served in a space port and all the details are amazing. And for Star Wars fans it is authentic and wonderful. We went once with people who had never seen Star Wars and they still had a blast.

But the real story here is that the drinks are inventive and fun. They serve two types of drinks. Each come either with alcohol or without. Concoctions are drinks, while provisions are more like a gelatin. The flavors are bold and unique. Some of the kids’ drinks have carbon ice on the bottom that provides an endless stream of bubbles and giigles.

Oga’s Cantina may seem like too much effort and may get lost in your planning routine. But do not write it off because you are not sure if your clan is going to enjoy it.

Dress for Success

Posted on June 19, 2022 by Michael Luongo

Planning a vacation to Walt Disney World can be challenging and there is certainly much to think about. Park reservations, dining reservations and park hours are all things to consider. But Disney Dads know that getting everybody’s clothing together is one of the most fun planning ritual.

We made a regrettable mistake on our very first vacation to Walt Disney World. We did not pack Disney attire and just wore common shirts. Sadly we didn’t know any better. We didn’t know that wearing Disney themed clothes enhanced the magic so much. Don’t follow in our footsteps. Everything is better in Disney clothes. The characters interact with you more. The pictures are amazing.

There is one more way to take the magic to the next level. Matching shirts for the whole family. Yes that’s right. You may be hesitant and it may sound unusual, and you may think “we aren’t those people”. But it is so much fun to be those people.

Staying on Disney Property

Posted on June 16, 2022 by Michael Luongo

When planning a vacation to Walt Disney World, many people ponder the question of whether or not to stay on Disney property. For me it is a non-negotiable easy decision. Staying on property has so many advantages, it is well worth the added cost.

Staying in a Walt Disney World hotel means the Disney Magic doesn’t end when you leave the park. The resort hotels maintain that Disney feel. Some of the value hotels like Art of Animation and All Star Movies are filled with Disney characters. On the walk to the lobby at Art of Animation, the kids would announce the characters we passed and take pictures with them.

Walt Disney World hotels increase in cost from value to moderate and to deluxe. Every resort has a pool, gift shop, quick service cafeteria and access to free transportation around Disney World. As the price increases, the amenities at the resort get nicer and nicer. The more expensive resorts have table service dining options and more elaborate pool and recreation areas. These resorts are generally closer to the theme parks. A little advertised Disney secret is that guests staying at deluxe resorts can take advantage of extended hours in some of the parks. Take a look at this sample schedule for Summer 2022.

All resort guests can take advantage of Disney Extra Magic Hours. This program has changed over the years but currently allows resort guests to enter all 4 parks 30 minutes earlier than the opening time. Other perks include being able to make Lightning Lane and Genie+ selections at 7am before and sending purchases in the park back to your room instead of carrying them around all day.

Traveling from the resort to the theme parks is simple when you stay at a Disney resort hotel. The bus system is the most common way to get around. Then there is the Magic Kingdom monorail, and the Disney Skyliner that connects Caribbean Beach, Art of Animation and Pop Century to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. There are also water taxis and Minnie Vans (Lyft operated). Being able to go the resort quickly and easily and back again is super convenient. It allows for so many variations in your stay. You can go back to the room if you forgot something. Parties can split if younger ones (or older ones like grandparents) need a break. Grandparents can take the kids back early so the parents can enjoy some amazing alone time.

Staying in a Walt Disney World resort hotel means that you are on your Disney vacation around the clock from the moment you arrive.

Minnie Van Service

Posted on June 14, 2022 by Michael Luongo

Walt Disney World offers many different ways to get around the property. Almost all of the options are free. But there is an official paid car service that many people do not know about. It is called Minnie Van and it is operated by Lyft. This program began a few years before the Covid-19 pandemic, but was suspended in 2020 and 2021. It returned to action in June 2022. So what exactly is it?

The Minnie Van service is easy to use. It is operated by Lyft and it works just as easily as using Lyft anywhere else. The app and program are very user friendly so don’t worry about having to learn something new. I recommend setting up the Lyft app and creating an account before your vacation if you anticipate using it. I would even set it up just in case of an emergency or unplanned difficulty. You don’t want to he fiddling with an account creation if something requires immediate action.

The Minnie Van can be very helpful to complement the Walt Disney World Transportation system. At park open and close, there are usually busses arriving frequently. However, mid day and off times there can be a bit of a wait. The Minnie Van can be called in to save some time and provide a more convenient and comfortable experience. This is a great option when park hopping or for a quick return to the resort. Animal Kingdom is a great park to start the day in. It opens early and you can do a lot by lunch, and move to another park. But it is a long ride to Magic Kingdom from there, and a Minnie Van can be a nice way to save some time. I don’t want to leave Animal Kingdom and see my bus just left and now I have to wait 20 minutes for another one. That really throws a wrench in the day.

The Minnie Van service is operated by Disney and Lyft. The driver is a friendly and knowledgeable Disney employee. The Minnie Van can hold up to 6 guests and has 2 car seats available so it should accommodate most families. We don’t use it as a primary mode of transportation, but there were times where it made travel so much better.

What to know about crowds at Walt Disney World

Posted on June 11, 2022 by Michael Luongo

Disney World will be crowded. It will always be crowded. But do not stress over this. The major rides always have long lines. The restaurants are always booked. It doesn’t matter if it is peak season or not. The biggest difference with crowds is just the number of people in the park. Disney knows what they are doing. They have a system and a plan. They want people in lines or on rides, or in shows or restaurants. They will operate rides at lesser capacity when it is less busy. It is most crowded when schools are out. This includes the summer, school vacation weeks on February, March and April, and Christmas break.

In actuality, the number of people in the park has little impact on your vacation. While I prefer to go when it is less crowded, I would not necessarily avoid peak times. There is also a lot of unpredictability. There are times that are much busier than they should be.

Walt Disney World is a shared experience, much like seeing a movie in a crowded theater. The audience reaction often acts as an enhancement. We vacationed in Disney World in 2020 during the Covid Pandemic and it was surreal. Entire sections of the park were deserted. It was eerie for sure. And it somehow seemed less magical.

A trip to Walt Disney World is a Wonderful Vacation. It requires advanced planning. Guests must also expect it to be crowded. Disney Dads master the ability to have a plan, while including enough flexibility to adjust as needed. Too many people are stressed on their Disney World Vacation. And I understand, a lot of people simply do not like crowds. But accepting and understanding that the crowd is not really in your way will ultimately relieve stress and allow you to have a magical vacation.

You must try Sleepy Hollow

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Michael Luongo

Sleepy Hollow is a not so hidden anymore gem in Magic Kingdom. It is located in Liberty Square just outside Cinderella’s Castle. They sell breakfast snacks all day. The funnel cake is unbelievable. Even when the line is long, it moves quickly. There are tables available to sit and eat outside.

Waffles with Fruit, Funnel Cake, Sweet & Spicy Chicken, and Chips

After breakfast hours, Sleepy Hollow has additional items. There are freshly made chips and a delicious sweet and spicy chicken waffle sandwich. Guests can also get a corn dog or a turkey leg.

Sleepy Hollow is a great spot to grab a quick meal. It is much less expensive and faster than other quick service options. The breakfast foods are so tasty and fulfilling. They also satisfy my sweet tooth. The table area in Liberty Square is lively and the scenery is gorgeous.

Sleepy Hollow is easy to walk past in the hustle through Magic Kingdom. It is a bit of a hole in the wall in Liberty Square and not enough people know what they are missing. We often rope drop a few rides and then head over for breakfast.

All about Park Hopping

Posted on June 6, 2022 by Michael Luongo

Park Hopping at Disney World is an addition to Park Admission that allows guests to visit more than one park in a single day. Let me explain why you should consider this. Park Hopping can be great for short trips and longer stays just as well. It works for short days in the park and spending all day there.

Some families with younger kids might not anticipate spending long hours in the park. It works well to head over to one of the parks in the morning for a few hours and then head back to the hotel for a break. Park Hopping allows the family to go to a different park later in the day. Families with young ones also might not be able to stay to enjoy the night time shows. Park Hopping allows the flexibility to pop into any park just to catch the fireworks.

Disney Dads also use Park Hopping to make the most out of every day. Usually Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are the first parks to open. Starting the day at one of these parks and moving over to Magic Kingdom or EPCOT extends the day at the parks. It is especially simple to go from Hoywood Studios to EPCOT because they are so close together. We have even walked that voyage before. It was a fun 15 minutes through the hotel area between the two parks.

On our Disney World vacations, we like to eat quick service lunches and table service dinners. We have found over the years that Epcot and Magic Kingdom have so many dining options we can never get to them all. Conversely, we don’t love dinners at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Park Hopping allows us to start in one of those parks and head to another for dinner. We can still enjoy plenty of time in all the parks without missing out on our favorite dining options.

The Park Hopper is an added expense and it might not be worth it for everyone. And it is charged for the entire length of the ticket. You can’t pick individual days to Park Hop and add it for that day alone. But there are so many advantages it should be considered.

Get the souvenir you want

Posted on June 3, 2022 by Michael Luongo

Disney World vacations are many things. One of the major things they are is expensive. But I still need my souvenirs. And we have expensive taste. But I think of this as part of the budget for the trip.

All around my home are decorations from past Disney trips. And I love seeing them. If you are wondering if the extra expense is worth it, let me tell you that it is. We have purchased a snow globe from every trip we made to Disney World. Things like that become family traditions. There are also things like reusable water bottles we buy when we get there and use them all week and beyond.

Most Disney World shops will allow you to ship things to your home right when you buy them. Another service, paused currently because of Covid, allows guests to send purchases to their hotel room so they don’t have to carry it around all day.

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