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.

An Easy Day at Animal Kingdom

Posted on July 25, 2022 by Michael Luongo

Walt Disney World vacations are packed with fun and adventure. The vacations are super busy. There are 4 unique amusement parks (and 2 water parks). With so much to do, many Disney Families joke they need a vacation after traveling to Disney World just to recover. On out Disney World vacations, we usually allow a day at Animal Kingdom to be a relaxing recovery day. With a few tips, one day at Animal Kingdom is enough.

Animal Kingdom blends an amusement park with a zoo, a conservation initiative and an educational experience. There are many things to do and a few of the best rides in Walt Disney World. Even so, you can experience Animal Kingdom without having to hustle as much as you do at some of the other parks. It does open early and we get there early to get to everything. We open with Expedition Everest and then Dinosaur. We will make a Lightning Lane reservation for Avatar: Flight of Passage. We also see the Festival of the Lion King and Kilimanjaro Safari every trip. Other than that, it is just a leisurely walk through the park. We most often go to all the other attractions, like It’s Tough to Be a Bug Kali River Rapids. But none of these are can’t miss experiences every vacation.

The dining at Animal Kingdom is the least impressive of all the parks. The restaurants are great, but they are very focused in their cuisine and not overly appealing to all appetites. We will eat a quick service lunch, usually at Restaurantosaurus. We wrap up the day at Animal Kingdom by 4 or 5 pm and head back to the resort. We will eat dinner there and finish off the night at the pool. The kids really enjoy just swimming freely. It seems weird to be on a Disney World Vacation and spend time relaxing at the resort and not running through the parks. But it is fun for the kids and relaxing for the parents. It gives every a chance to rejuvenate for the rest of the trip.

Veteran Disney Dads will plan their Animal Kingdom day midway through their Walt Disney World Vacation. That will maximize the benefit of the relaxing day and make for a strong finish to the trip.

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.

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.

Attraction Profile: Splash Mountain

Posted on June 27, 2022 by Michael Luongo

Changing times have brought controversy to this beloved attraction. It is a delicate issue that had brought many passionate responses. Regardless of the changes Walt Disney World decides to make, Splash Mountain is and will remain a wonderful ride.

Splash Mountain is not your average log ride. It is incredibly enjoyable. The ride lasts forever and never disappoints. And it is entirely unpredictable as to which guests will get the most wet.

The drop at the end of the ride may look too intense for some people but it is really not that bad. Do not miss out on this ride because of the drop.

So if Walt Disney World does change Splash Mountain it will be sad to say goodbye. But it will be super exciting to see what ideas Disney Imagineers have to bring Splash Mountain forward.

Resort Profile: Art of Animation

Posted on June 22, 2022 by Michael Luongo

There are so many resorts to choose from at Walt Disney World. Art of Animation is classified as a value hotel. It is the least expensive category at Walt Disney World. But it is one of my favorites and my top pick for traveling with the youngest children. It is also one of the newer resorts. Be aware, it sells out fast!

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. The moderate and deluxe hotels have various themes and are decorated with splashes of Disney Magic. The theme of Art of Animation is obviously Disney and Pixar animation and the resort if covered in art and the characters you know and love. For first time vacations or trips with toddlers, this is a perfect destination. Other features of the resort include an arcade and a jogging or walking trail.

Art of Animation has standard rooms that are themed to The Little Mermaid. These rooms are spectacular and remain my favorite in all resorts. They are studio rooms with 2 queen beds. Art of Animation also offers 3 different themed family suites. These rooms are adorable. They feature a queen bed, plus a smaller room with another bed. There is also a sofa bed if needed. These are perfect for bigger families with more than 2 children. These rooms are pricey though and can be a little more than double the cost of a standard room. They are probably too expensive for a family of 4 where The Little Mermaid room will do just fine.

Disney designed Art of Animation to be well suited for small children. There is a cute playground. The pool is simple and ready for little ones. And the splash pad is a perfect place for kids to play in the water while the parents can relax without having to be in the pool with them.

The Disney Skyliner brings resort guests to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT in an enjoyable gondola high above the property. It is a wonderful change of pace from the bus rides that can get CROWDED. The real benefit comes at the end of the day when exiting a park at closing time. It is much faster getting back to the resort on the Skyliner than it was before when guests had to line up for the bus.

Art of Animation is a beautiful resort that proudly displays Disney and Pixar Characters. Kids (and adults) love seeing them throughout the property. This resort may capture Disney Magic better than any other in Walt Disney World.

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.

Disney By Dads

Ideas for planning your Disney World Vacation