WALT DISNEY WORLD

Walt Disney World, Hollywood Studios Tyler Braun Walt Disney World, Hollywood Studios Tyler Braun

Sneak Peek of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in Hollywood Studios!

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge officially opens at the Walt Disney World Resort inside Disney's Hollywood Studios on August 29th, 2019. We were allowed into "Star Wars Land" for a 4 hour preview this past weekend!

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Preview & Walk Through

By Steffen Brandt

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Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge officially opens at the Walt Disney World Resort inside Disney's Hollywood Studios on August 29th, 2019. We were allowed into "Star Wars Land" for a 4 hour preview this past weekend. Read below for our entire review of the land, food, and entertainment offerings you'll find when you visit this galaxy, not so far away, in Orlando, FL.

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From the moment you enter the giant archway off of Grand Avenue (formerly called the Streets of America) you are immediately transported to a galaxy far far away. I know that it is cliche to say that but honestly the angle, direction, architecture, texture, and flow of that archway is so fluid and well designed that you really feel transported away from Hollywood Studios and immersed into the Star Wars universe.

Galaxy's Edge is divided into 2 sections - the Resistance side and the First Order side.


Emerging from the archway you find yourself on the remote planet of Batuu at the edge of the galaxy's outer rim territories. Take a moment to look around, look behind you, and feel the sense that you have now entered the land and left Hollywood Studios behind. Is it the midichlorians I feel or Disney Magic?

Galaxy's Edge is divided into 2 sections - the Resistance side and the First Order side. When you enter the land you emerge in the Resistance side, as evident by the full scale Resistance ships that have docked there conveniently in the perfect spot for a photo. Poe Dameron would be proud of the pilot who pulled off that maneuver! To the left you find the future entrance to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. This attraction is set to open on December 5th, 2019 in Walt Disney World and January 17th, 2020 in Disneyland. Between the ship PhotoPass opportunities you will find 2 kiosks selling unique Star Wars themed merchandise called Resistance Supply. Don't forget to pick up your Galaxy's Edge reusable bag for $1.50!

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Continuing deeper into the land you arrive at a crossroads. Suggestion, go left. Don't worry, Star Wars Land is a big circle and you will end up back here eventually and see everything. If you go left you will enter The Market comprised of a "Refresher" (Star Wars Land's name for the restroom), and 4 shops which include:

  • Creature Stall

  • Toydarian Toymakers

  • Black Spire Outfitters

  • Jewels of Bith

All 4 of these shops are very small, but each of them have very unique gifts and souvenirs.
Here you will also find Kat Saka's Kettle - a small eatery and seating area themed to cooking food using what appears to be a space ship engine:

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Once you exit The Market you will come to a crossroads again where you can take the steps down to the left or the right. Don't worry because it’s still the same separated paths from earlier. One just went into The Market and the other went around The Market. To the right before you go down the steps is Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities. This souvenir shop was heavily themed and has very unique items. Personally, I feel the theming of this store is a little dark. There are animal heads on the walls and overall the feeling in this store feels more like "shock value" than a whimsical place to buy items.

Now, back to The Market. As you exit The Market, to the left before you go down the steps you will find Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. This is the quick-service restaurant for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. We ordered the fried chicken over mashed potatoes and the beef shank. Both were good quality for a quick-service location.

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As you exit Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo and proceed down the step you will find Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run to the left. There are 3 entrances, from left to right the entrances read: single rider, FastPass+ return, and standby. What is to be the most photographed thing in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will of course be the full scale Millennium Falcon which circles this area. PhotoPass photographers were positioned at multiple places around the ship to take staged pictures of you and your party. You also get an up-close look of the ship from the ride queue.

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Let's discuss this ride a little before we continue our walk-through of the land. For our experience the wait time read 60 minutes for the preview weekend. Truth be told we only waited about 35 minutes. Some of the line queue was located outside in mostly shaded area while providing you a terrific view of the detail included on the back of the Millennium Falcon. Once you enter the building the ride queue feels more like an industrial repair shop reminiscent of the latter part of the Star Tours ride queue.

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After receiving instructions in 1 staging area you enter a hallway where you are divided into groups of 6 and provided a crew assignment and color. You are then ushered into the Millennium Falcon common area. Here you wait with several other crews and you are allowed to take pictures at the iconic chess table. When your color is called your crew assembles and you are placed in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon. A quick seat belt check and you are on your way.

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The ride itself is a combination of Mission Space and Star Tours. Each crew member has an assigned task to press certain buttons when prompted. If the crew member does not press the button within an allotted amount of time the ride will press it for you and continue the mission. This is the same as Mission Space in EPCOT. To be clear... the ride is NOT like Mission Space in any other way. Instead it takes its cues from Star Tours wherein it is a simulator ride.

Herein is where you have control over the motion sickness level. Personally I get motion sickness. I can't do Star Tours anymore. This attraction relies on the pilots to drive. If you get a bad pilot.... like, oh, lets say, an 8 year old that can't reach the buttons once he is strapped in and has no ability to steer without running into everything possible.... just hypothetically... THEN YOU WILL GET MOTION SICK! However, If you have an adult or teen that is good at video games then I recommend putting them in the Captain's seat so everyone can enjoy their ride.
Another note about the ride experience: The cabin is a compact space that resonates sound. Screaming is very loud. The children on our adventure were very excited. Their excitement was deafening.
Overall I will give the ride another chance with a better crew before I pass any judgement. But my advice is "part of the crew, part of the ship." Get yourself a good crew and your experience will be pleasant.

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Leaving the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler Run area you begin to enter the First Order area. You will pass by Oga's Cantina on your left. This is a 90% standing room only bar and light snacks restaurant. Hopefully you made your reservation 180 days in advance! Further into the First Order area you will find the Milk Stand on your right as you approach a full scale tie fighter. Here you can order both blue and green milk. It was $8 for non-alcoholic and $14 for a shot of rum in it. We got the blue non-alcoholic milk. It is a cold slushy-type beverage with a sweetened condensed milk texture. The blue one tasted of blueberry melon. It was an interesting texture and flavor. Probably a "one and done" though. I can't say I would seek it out for a second helping. They also offered a souvenir milk jug on a neck strap for $24. To the left of the tie fighter is a first order souvenir shop called First Order Cargo.

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Continue past the tie fighter and you will again see many PhotoPass photographers ready to take some great staged photos of your party in front of the ship. Continue walking past the Milk Stand and you pass another "Refresher" station before coming to the Droid Depot. This is where you can build your own custom droid for $99.99 galactic credits. The droids are built in a similar to Ridemakerz vehicles (if you are familiar with those). Basically you pick the parts and the characteristics of your droid and then assemble it. The droid is placed in a box similar to a Build a Bear crate so you can carry it around somewhat comfortably the rest of the day. There are other souvenirs that you can purchase here that are droid themed such as key chains, cooking aprons & oven mitts, and a bowl made out of upside- down R2-D2's head.... a little morbid... haha!

Exiting the Droid Depot and turning to the right you will find Savi's Workshop. This is where you can build your own replica lightsaber for a mere $199.99 galactic credits. I will say that these lightsabers look amazing and that they give you a great carrying case that looks like a pool cue case. A little rich for my blood, but I am happy that there is a more "adult" lightsaber option.

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After you exit Savi's Workshop just walk straight towards the pod racer ships and you have now circled the entire land. My take on this epic new land is that it is very well themed. A lot of details everywhere. We did not get into the Disney Play app that can be utilized everywhere throughout this land, but that's because it is still in the testing phase. I hope to see more interaction with characters and perhaps some shows/demonstrations in front of the ships scattered throughout the land once it officially opens on August 29th, 2019. That wish set aside I was not disappointed in the least and I know that you won't be either.

May the Force Be With You.... Always.

This blog was originally posted on The Bibbidi Bobbidi Blog: https://thebibbidibobbidiblog.weebly.com/blog/star-wars-galaxys-edge-preview-reviewwalk-through


Steffen Brandt.jpg

Steffen is a writer for The Bibbidi Bobbidi Blog. Growing up in the Midwest, Steffen and his family traveled to the Orlando area several times per year to escape the cold. These trips lead to his love of Disney and eventually a major move to the sunshine state with his loving wife, Marissa. Now they are fulfilling their lifelong dream of being close to the magic and sharing their love of Disney with you!

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Epcot, Walt Disney World Tyler Braun Epcot, Walt Disney World Tyler Braun

Expanding Epcot's World Showcase!

Everyone loves getting pastries at Les Halles Boulangerie et Patisserie in France, margaritas at La Cava del Tequila in Mexico, or enjoying the exhibitions in the American Heritage Gallery. (Okay, maybe it’s just museum geeks like me, but you can at least enjoy the Voices of Liberty!) But as I’m sure many who cherish EPCOT as their favorite park at Walt Disney World have done, I have spent a possibly unreasonable amount of time thinking up new pavilions for the World Showcase.

A History Nerd’s Dream of Expanding the Epcot’s World Showcase

By Megan Valentine

Everyone loves getting pastries at Les Halles Boulangerie et Patisserie in France, margaritas at La Cava del Tequila in Mexico, or enjoying the exhibitions in the American Heritage Gallery. (Okay, maybe it’s just museum geeks like me, but you can at least enjoy the Voices of Liberty!) But as I’m sure many who cherish EPCOT as their favorite park at Walt Disney World have done, I have spent a possibly unreasonable amount of time thinking up new pavilions for the World Showcase.

The France Pavilion during the International Flower and Garden Festival

The France Pavilion during the International Flower and Garden Festival

Beyond the well known and wonderful countries presented, I, as a history nerd have come up with an expansion idea that tops the others.  Rather than just adding countries with current influence on the world, EPCOT should add a section within the World Showcase that ventures into ancient worlds that influenced much of our history. Branching off of the China Pavilion by the African Outpost, there is space for two more pavilions. My proposition is that these pavilions can connect to both the African Outpost and China to create a subgroup within the World Showcase of the ancient world. Imagine walking through the World Showcase and, after looking at much of the contemporary Chinese culture and information, a short passage takes you from modern day China to an additional section of the pavilion featuring its ancient ancestors. From this, you can journey into my two proposed new pavilions: Greece and Egypt.

Imagine Greece and Egypt filling spaces 6 and 7!Photo credit: https://themouselets.com/lost-pavilions-of-epcot

Imagine Greece and Egypt filling spaces 6 and 7!

Photo credit: https://themouselets.com/lost-pavilions-of-epcot

Imagine journeying back in time to an ancient Greek agora, the Parthenon, or seeing the famed statue of Zeus at Olympia. Disney has the perfect film connection if they desire in Hercules, offering opportunities for attractions connected with the film. Perhaps you could fly on a pegasus or go on a journey that showcases all of the mythical creatures within Greek mythology and the film. The culture, history, and influence of ancient Greece offers a great variety of opportunities for storytelling and education (or edutainment), including exhibitions within a new gallery. And of course there’s plenty of opportunity for food to enjoy as well! (Imagine a variety of gyros, spanakopita, stuffed grape leaves, Greek coffee, and all the olives and olive oil you could want!)

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The cherry on top of the ancient worlds section (at least in my only slightly biased opinion) would be the Egypt pavilion. If you’re thinking, “We’ve already got a pyramid in Mexico, why do we need another?” That’s a valid argument, but I can also propose the temple of Karnak with its great Hypostyle Hall, the lighthouse of Alexandria, the Great Sphinx, Abu Simbel, or any of a plethora of iconic ancient Egyptian sites that could be the cornerstone of the pavilion. There is no film with which the pavilion can currently connect, but ancient Egyptian mythology, being as visual and descriptive as it is, offers the perfect boat ride opportunity, journeying through the underworld, experiencing the process that the ancient Egyptians believed the soul went through after death to achieve the afterlife and experiencing the many gods of the Egyptian canon. Again, this pavilion would ideally be accompanied by a gallery in which you can learn more details about a variety of aspects of Egyptian civilization, opportunities for learning hieroglyphs or Egyptian art, and more. There’s even potential for opportunities such as beer making like the Egyptians, storytelling and myths, and Egyptian food (maybe a combination of ancient and modern!)

 

While this is obviously a complete fabrication for World Showcase expansion ideas, it would allow for further opportunities for advancement and enrichment of the World Showcase within EPCOT. Placing these pavilions in the larger open space by China and connecting them to the African Outpost and China pavilions, you can make a more cohesive offshoot and offer further “edutainment” to the many park visitors who love ancient history (and maybe even make teachers happier when their kids have already learned some Greek and Egyptian history during their vacation!) The idea of a new country to visit within the World Showcase is always attractive, so why not an ancient world section?!


Megan Valentine.jpg

My name is Megan Valentine.  I'm a travel junkie, a lifelong Disney fan, and a museum curator & registrar.  My granddad was born in 1928, just like Mickey Mouse, so he has worked to instill a love of all things Disney in his kids and grandkids.  He and my grandmother took me to Walt Disney World for the first time when I was four years old, and I have been addicted ever since.  I have now been to WDW seven times and can't get enough! I am the planner for all of my family's Disney trips and consultant for any friends with questions since I am always reading about Disney, listening to podcasts, or watching the movies. In addition to my Disney travels, I love to explore a variety of destinations with an ever-growing list of places to visit.  As a museum professional and art historian, I often seek out fascinating new museum exhibits when I can, particularly if it has anything to do with my other major obsession, Egypt! 

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Walt Disney World, Epcot Tyler Braun Walt Disney World, Epcot Tyler Braun

The Best EPCOT Festival?

I’m not sure there could be any argument that there is any prettier time of year at EPCOT than the International Flower and Garden Festival. The park is filled with flowers, topiaries of beloved characters, and kiosks filled with beautiful and delicious snacks from around the world.

The Best EPCOT Festival?

Food Highlights and a Tour Review from the International Flower and Garden Festival

By Megan Valentine 

I’m not sure there could be any argument that there is any prettier time of year at EPCOT than the International Flower and Garden Festival. The park is filled with flowers, topiaries of beloved characters, and kiosks filled with beautiful and delicious snacks from around the world. I had the opportunity to visit the Flower and Garden Festival in March of this year and try a number of treats around the park as well as experience a wonderful tour opportunity offered during the festival.

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First, let’s talk about the Royal Tea garden tour that is offered daily throughout the festival and offers a 45-minute tour of the teas in the English Tea Garden as well as a breakfast of scones and tea at the Rose & Crown. We met at 9:30 at the Rose & Crown dining room and joined the rest of our tour group (there were about 20 on the tour) and our two guides for our tour. Having the chance to wander through this portion of the World Showcase when there were very few people around was wonderful and gave us the opportunity to get photos of some of the topiaries without crowds of people around.

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(photo by Lisa Valentine)

(photo by Lisa Valentine)

Our tour guide, Alex, gave us some great insight into all of the types of teas highlighted in the tour, giving us details about how the various types are made and how English tea practices differ from American. The tour was very informative and fun, and filled with ginger jokes (see picture below for explanation).

(photo by Lisa Valentine)

(photo by Lisa Valentine)

After we went through the tea garden and he answered any questions we had, we traveled back to the Rose & Crown where tables had been set up with to go containers filled with a savory and a sweet scone as well as clotted cream and jam. We also had the opportunity to try one of the teas we had discussed on the tour. While we ate, enjoying the view, the guides handed out small packets with three different tea bags for us to take home.

(photo by Lisa Valentine)

(photo by Lisa Valentine)

Overall, it was an enjoyable tour and a great way to spend the morning at the Flower and Garden festival, particularly for anyone who enjoys tea (and listening to British accents for an hour :) )

 

We finished up with our tour and snacks shortly before 11:00 AM, when the Flower and Garden kiosks were opening up for the day. (A couple of them seemed to be already open when I arrived at like 10:50, so I think there were one or two extra popular kiosks that they may have opened early). After seeing the super popularity of one item at the festival in particular, and being a sucker for cuteness, I made a beeline for the Citrus Blossom kiosk to pick up the hit of the festival, the Orange Bird Sipper!

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I had heard that this was so popular that the lines for his kiosk were an hour long or more during the first few days of the festival, so I was thrilled that I was able to walk right up when I arrived.  The sipper is filled with an orange cream slushy which tastes quite a bit like a melted creamsicle. It was quite good, but sweet and I can definitely tell you that a little went a long way. He doesn’t hold a ton of liquid, but I’d had my fill (even sharing) by the time I got close to the end. This was $14 at the kiosk, but you’re mainly paying for the cup (which would probably have been more than $14 in any of the gift shops).

 

My absolute favorite thing at the festival was another drink, which was relocated to the Taste Track this year. It is the Green Tea Berry Mint Julep. I got the nonalcoholic version, but you can get it with bourbon. This was at one of the temporary kiosks last year, which did not return this year. This drink is absolutely delicious, with blackberry, raspberry, green tea, and a mint simple syrup. It is light and refreshing and I legitimately went there as soon as I could to get it this year because I enjoyed it so much last year. (I made it at home a few times in the interim and was thrilled when the recipe was in the festivals cookbook on sale at event this year.) In my humble opinion, it surpasses the Violet Lemonade that is most everyone’s favorite year after year. (I know, potentially fighting words, but I don’t care. I love this drink that much!)

(Photo by Lisa Valentine. I was too impatient to drink it to be a good blogger and take a photo …)

(Photo by Lisa Valentine. I was too impatient to drink it to be a good blogger and take a photo …)

Although simple, the crab and cream cheese wontons were absolutely delicious, especially with the duck sauce they have available for dipping. The flatbread in the Primavera Kitchen was a solid choice as well, although it wasn’t the most amazing thing ever.

 

I think if I had to pick a favorite kiosk for the festival, it would probably Bauernmarkt, the German kiosk, which seems very weird to me considering I’m not usually a huge fan of German food. This kiosk hasn’t changed a ton from last year, but they didn’t need much adaptation since the Toasted Pretzel bread filled with black forest ham and melted gruyere cheese was absolutely delicious, as was the potato pancake with ham, onion, and sour cream that my mother got. Although those were so good and I would go back and get more in a minute, the best part is the Warm Cheese Strudel with mixed berries.  Buttery, flaky pastry surrounds a warm cream cheese filling that is divine and just the perfect balance of sweet with the tart cream cheese. To top it off, they pour warm mixed berries and juice over the pastry. Can you ask for more in a dessert? This recipe was also included in the festivals cookbook, which helped confirm my purchase very quickly!

(Photo from the Disney Festivals Cookbook because once again I was too busy eating this to take a picture. Can you blame me really?)

(Photo from the Disney Festivals Cookbook because once again I was too busy eating this to take a picture. Can you blame me really?)

Another solid kiosk with multiple options (although almost all of them had at least one thing that would be appealing if you have a remotely adventurous palette) was the American kiosk, the Smokehouse. It featured multiple varieties of barbecue including the pulled pig slide, beef brisket burnt ends and smoked pork belly slider (my selection), and the shredded beef brisket. My group got one of each and no one was disappointed in their selection.

 

All in all, in our 2.5 days at the Flower and Garden Festival, we made it through 10 of the 17 kiosks for this year (plus Taste Track) so I’d say that’s a reasonable accomplishment. There were definitely more things I wanted to try and quite a few things I didn’t mention here that were delicious. I didn’t try anything that I regretted. If you enjoy the EPCOT festivals, I would definitely recommend this one. Personally, it beats out the Food and Wine festival for me since there are plenty of food and drink options like at F&W but the park is filled to the brim with flowers!

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Megan Valentine.jpg

My name is Megan Valentine.  I'm a travel junkie, a lifelong Disney fan, and a museum curator & registrar.  My granddad was born in 1928, just like Mickey Mouse, so he has worked to instill a love of all things Disney in his kids and grandkids.  He and my grandmother took me to Walt Disney World for the first time when I was four years old, and I have been addicted ever since.  I have now been to WDW seven times and can't get enough! I am the planner for all of my family's Disney trips and consultant for any friends with questions since I am always reading about Disney, listening to podcasts, or watching the movies. In addition to my Disney travels, I love to explore a variety of destinations with an ever-growing list of places to visit.  As a museum professional and art historian, I often seek out fascinating new museum exhibits when I can, particularly if it has anything to do with my other major obsession, Egypt! 

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Walt Disney World Tyler Braun Walt Disney World Tyler Braun

Why We Should Return Dreamfinder to Journey Into Imagination

From its opening in 1983 until the first short-lived refurbishment in 1998, Journey Into Imagination led everyone who rode it on a journey through the imagination of Dreamfinder and his creation, Figment, and expounded on the crucial nature of imagination in everyone’s lives.

Why We Should Return Dreamfinder to Journey Into Imagination

By Megan Valentine

“Two Tiny Wings

Eyes Big and Yellow

Horns of a Steer

but a Loveable Fellow!

From head to tail

he’s royal purple pigment

and there, voila, you’ve got a Figment!”

 

From its opening in 1983 until the first short-lived refurbishment in 1998, Journey Into Imagination led everyone who rode it on a journey through the imagination of Dreamfinder and his creation, Figment, and expounded on the crucial nature of imagination in everyone’s lives. Dreamfinder spoke about how you could make or be anything if you used your imagination. Just “one little spark of inspiration” is responsible for all creation and is important for everyone. The ride encouraged children to embrace their imaginations and encouraged adults to rediscover the childlike wonder and dreaming that is still important even when you grow up.

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Although I have always been a huge Figment fan and still have the picture I took with Dreamfinder and Figment as a child, I gained a much stronger appreciation for the original ride and the reasoning behind its creation after reading/listening to the book From Dreamer to Dreamfinder by Ron Schneider, the original Dreamfinder in EPCOT. (If you love Figment and Dreamfinder, seriously get the audiobook, you won’t regret it! Schneider sings portions of the song at times and it’s amazing!) In his book, he speaks about the planning and creation of the ride, which he joined toward the end before becoming the official Dreamfinder for events as well as roaming through the park interacting with guests. In his book, Schneider says that Dreamfinder and Figment were created to represent two halves of the human mind with Dreamfinder being practical, experienced, and educated while Figment is impulsive, wild, and childlike. The two halves combine to go through a journey through the creative process.

In the original attraction, Dreamfinder and Figment led their travel companions through different realms of discovery including science, art, and literature, gathering ideas for their creations and explaining the crucial nature of imagination in everyone’s lives. One of the only remaining aspects of the original ride, apart from a few verses in the song, is the ending scene which features Figment in numerous occupations or dream scenarios, showing that you could be almost anything if you set your mind to it.

 

According to Ron Schneider’s stories in his book, he got in trouble multiple times for disregarding the limitations put on his character when roaming around EPCOT.Rather than simply greeting children and adults and taking photos, Schneider made it his goal to have meaningful interactions with the guests. He often reacted to a small child as if they were the first child he’d ever seen, causing him to think about himself in a whole new light so that he could explain to Dreamfinder and Figment who (and what) he was. Rather than the guest being the one amazed and honored to meet the character, Schneider turned the experience on its head, making the interaction all the more meaningful.

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In 1998, Kodak sponsorship of the Journey into Imagination ride was in question, which is one of the possible factors in the redesign of the attraction along with its inevitable aging over a 15-year run. The first redesign lasted only about a year as it was almost universally hated and had none of the charm that the original did. The original characters had vanished apart from a tiny Figment cameo. The current iteration, which opened in 2002, combined details of the second iteration while returning Figment to the attraction, although he is mostly devoid of the whimsy and fascination for discovery of the original. In the current iteration, Figment is often seen as a nuisance and irritation, not the fun-loving, creative original character. While the ride ends with an appreciation and understanding for creativity and its role in our lives, it’s not at all the same experience.

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I am not a proponent for returning Journey into Imagination exactly as it was, as it of course aged over the years and a ride created in 1983 would not hold the same strength today. However, the heart of the ride should be returned and a growing number of people have expressed a love and nostalgia for Dreamfinder. An updated version of the original would likely do well, restoring the feeling and meaning from the first ride to the modern-day park and returning the two characters who were originally the only characters in EPCOT. Figment has become the de facto mascot for the park and all its festivals, so why shouldn’t we have a ride that actually does the valuable character justice? In a time where people are often way too serious for their own good, a ride fully expounding on imagination and showing how wonderful creation and appreciation for whimsy can be would be invaluable for all of us.


Megan Valentine.jpg

My name is Megan Valentine.  I'm a travel junkie, a lifelong Disney fan, and a museum curator & registrar.  My granddad was born in 1928, just like Mickey Mouse, so he has worked to instill a love of all things Disney in his kids and grandkids.  He and my grandmother took me to Walt Disney World for the first time when I was four years old, and I have been addicted ever since.  I have now been to WDW seven times and can't get enough! I am the planner for all of my family's Disney trips and consultant for any friends with questions since I am always reading about Disney, listening to podcasts, or watching the movies. In addition to my Disney travels, I love to explore a variety of destinations with an ever-growing list of places to visit.  As a museum professional and art historian, I often seek out fascinating new museum exhibits when I can, particularly if it has anything to do with my other major obsession, Egypt! 


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Walt Disney World, Disney Parks Tyler Braun Walt Disney World, Disney Parks Tyler Braun

Top Five Quick-Service Restaurants in Walt Disney World | Outside of the Parks

Jennifer Henry breaks down her top 5 Quick-Service Restaurants found outside of the parks!

Top Five Quick-Service Restaurants in Walt Disney World | Outside of the Parks


By Jennifer Henry

Still Hungry?

Hey guys! I’m here to bring you what, in my opinion, are the top 5 Quick-Service Restaurants found outside of the parks. When I was younger, my family would go to Orlando every summer for at least a week, sometimes two. When you have the extra time (or when your parents were tired of taking 3 kids into the parks every day and wanted something a little slower pace), exploring the resorts and Disney Springs is a lot of fun and can be nice break!

As I mentioned in my last post, Disney has really focused on adding variety to their menus. This includes adding specialty items, healthier options and having more available for those with dietary restrictions. And one of the best things about the food across the whole Disney property, is consistency. Of course, there are some restaurants that are better than others, but chances are, it’s similar quality no matter where you get your meal. So, with that being said, I will cut to the chase.

5. Landscape of Flavors, Art of Animation

I know what you’re thinking. Don’t all of the value resorts have similar food outlets? Kind of. It is true that All Star, Pop Century and Art of Animation have a similar layout and feel, but the menus differ. When I worked at Disney, I loved coming to the food courts for a meal to people watch and feed off their excitement. It reminded that I got to work at the most magical place on earth. Breakfast is pretty standard at all of the food halls, but still amazing. Breakfast platters, pancakes and waffles, and omelets are always a great way to get the day started. For lunch and dinner they provide a wide variety of options, from Mongolian Grilled Fish to your regular Bacon Cheeseburger, as well as a make your own pasta station and pizzas. I love the Jumbo Stuffed Meatball with the Herb Polenta and the Surf and Surf Burger (minus the shrimp, because I’m allergic...boo!). Also, I never say to no to a side of Naan Bread! This location has a fun and busy atmosphere, and great food options to compliment! Definitely a huge bonus to staying at the Art of Animation!

Full menu here.

4. Riverside Mill, Port Orleans Riverside

Like other resort breakfasts, Riverside Mill does not disappoint with the basics. However, they have a few specialty items, like the Breakfast Burger and a Crispy Fried Chicken Biscuit. Being from the South, chicken biscuits are my favorite, go figure. For lunch and dinner, they offer a Chef’s Carving Table, a Roast Beef Melt, and a Cajun Chicken Sandwich, on top of the create-your-own pasta and salad stations. Many of your food basics, but with a Cajun flare, which is extremely fitting. I love the ambiance of this location, with its slower pace and relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant itself is very themed in its décor, including a working watermill outside. While you are at Port Orleans, you might as well pop into the piano bar, River Roost Lounge. Bob Jackson is a lot of fun!

Full menu here.

3. Gasparilla Island Grill, Grand Floridian

Gasparilla Island Grill is great for many reasons, but one being its location. The outside seating area is my favorite because you have a great view of Seven Seas Lagoon overlooking the castle. During the spring time when the heat hasn’t become unbearable yet, you can get a nice snack, maybe purchase a bottle of wine, and have a lovely afternoon. I’m possibly speaking from experience on this one. Many times. Back to the food. I am a big Brie fan, so the Chicken and Brie sandwich is a win for me! They have a plethora of sandwiches, pizza, mac and cheese, and a Blackened Fish Reuben, which is surprisingly good! This location is open 24 hours, so if you close out Magic Kingdom one night during peak season and just need a pizza at 3am, hop on the monorail because this place has got you covered!

Full menu here.

2. Capt. Cook’s, Polynesian Resort

Capt. Cook’s is hands down by favorite resort quick service restaurant, for two reasons. The first being the Pulled Pork Nachos, which I have an immediate craving for now. The nachos consist of homemade chips, a heap of pulled pork, cheese, tomatoes, onions, spicy mayo and pineapple salsa. Does that not sound like Polynesian heaven? It is. And the

second reason I love this restaurant, is the Tonga Toast during breakfast. In case you are not familiar, it is banana stuffed French toast that is deep fried. I mean, come on. Even though Disney has tried to incorporate more health-conscious items, they still realize they must give the people what they want. Captain Cook’s great because there are many items similar to what you could get at Kona Café, but it’s much quicker and little more cost effective. A few years ago, when they were under going the big renovation, they revealed the self-serve dole whip was going away, and I thought I would have to boycott the whole restaurant. But honestly, the food is so good I was able to overlook that tragedy and continue to frequent this Polynesian paradise. I guess it’s safe to say, I’m a little obsessed with this place.

Check out the full menu here.

1. D-Luxe Burger, Disney Springs

While it is still fairly new, D-Luxe Burger has hit it out of the park. This is my new go-to QSR restaurant at Disney Springs, which says a lot because I have been loyal to Earl of Sandwich for years. Their menu offers breakfast sandwiches, which is nice because there are not that many places open for breakfast at Disney Springs. I personally haven’t had any of their breakfast items yet, however they have a Crispy Chicken Biscuit (a cheddar biscuit at that), so I’m not mad at the menu. Their burgers are legit, the Southern Burger being my favorite, because of the pimento cheese. They are gourmet and cooked to perfection! But, the best part about this restaurant is the dipping sauces for the fries. I am a sauce fien! They have three-mustard and honey, garlic ranch, chipotle mayo, curry ketchup, horseradish, and buffalo blue cheese. Amazing, right? I’ve tried all of them, and there is not a bad sauce. The only downside is that the burgers do not come with fries, so it can get a little pricey. However, their duos (which serves two, given the name) include two burgers, one side of fries and two fountain beverages, and those work out to be a better priced deal. So if you are in the Disney Springs area and want to go a little sauce crazy, this place is a must do for you!

Find their full menu here.

Let me know what your favorite resort or Disney Springs quick service restaurants are or if there are any items you’re obsessed with, like I am with those Pork Nachos!


Jennifer Henry.jpg

Hey fellow Disney fans! My name is Jennifer Henry and I can’t remember a time when I was not obsessed with Disney. I grew up 3 hours from Orlando, so we visited Walt Disney World multiple times a year and it became a happy place to forget about the outside world for my whole family. I did the Disney College Program in the Spring of 2011 and it was absolutely the best time of my life! I got to work in the Magic Kingdom in Tomorrowland and on Main Street, so it was truly a dream come true. After college I moved to Orlando and went full time with the company. I spent 5 wonderful years working for the mouse and is a time of my life I look back on fondly. Now residing in Atlanta, Georgia, I try to visit Disney World as often as possible. When not at Disney, you will more than likely find me listening to Disney Park background music and dreaming my next trip home!  

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Making the Most of Your First Trip to Disney World!

One of the most exciting moments in life is planning your first trip to Disney World! However, with over 25 on-site resort hotels, 4 parks, a downtown entertainment district and countless restaurants, planning can be stressful and confusing. Here are some of my tips and tricks for your first trip to Disney World!

Tips and Tricks to Making the Most of Your First Trip to Disney World!


By Karen Goldschmidt


One of the most exciting moments in life is planning your first trip to Disney World! However, with over 25 on-site resort hotels, 4 parks, a downtown entertainment district and countless restaurants, planning can be stressful and confusing. Here are some of my tips and tricks for your first trip to Disney World!

1. DO YOUR RESEARCH


It's no secret that visiting a Disney park is going to cost you a pretty penny so you'll want to make sure you get the most out of your vacation! Knowing details beforehand like park times, the best rides for you and your family and which restaurants you will want to eat at will save you a lot of time once you're in the parks.


2. HAVE A PLAN


Once you have done your research and know the park hours (they vary from day to day), you can decide what days to visit which parks. If you are staying at an on-site resort hotel, you get access to Extra Magic Hours. This means one park each day is either open an hour early or up to 3 hours later than normal hours! (Keep in mind these parks will usually generate bigger crowds due to the extra hours.)


3. DOWNLOAD THE APP


The My Disney Experience app is an essential for your trip to the World. Through the app, you can make your FastPass+ selections, check wait times and even order your meals ahead of time at select Disney restaurants.

4. MAXIMIZE THE FASTPASS+


Waiting in lines is never fun, so having the option to skip the wait times to some of the most popular rides is a no brainer! Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance when staying in a Walt Disney World resort (30 days in advance when staying off-property), so you will want to make your selections as early as possible (FastPasses do run out!). Here are lists of the rides, by park, with historically long wait times:

Magic Kingdom - Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Peter Pan's Flight, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain


Epcot - Soarin' Around the World, Test Track, Mission: SPACE, Frozen Ever After


Hollywood Studios - Tower of Terror, Rock ’n' Roller Coaster, Toy Story Mania, Slinky Dog Dash, Star Tours

Animal Kingdom - Avatar Flight of Passage, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, Kali River Rapids


5. LET DISNEY KNOW


Whether it's a birthday, anniversary or just your very first visit, Disney has a button for you to wear to showcase your celebrations! Make sure to visit the Guest Relations at the front of the parks, or the front desk of your resort hotel, and share with them what you’re celebrating. Typically when you wear one of these, you get a little extra attention from cast members!


6. MAKE EARLY BREAKFAST RESERVATIONS

Even if a park doesn't open till 9:00am, restaurants inside the parks will take breakfast reservations as early as 8:00am. This means you get to enter the park a little earlier than everyone else, which is pretty neat!


7. RIDER SWITCH


If you are traveling with your children that aren't old enough to ride some of the faster rides, Disney offers a very useful feature that allows one adult to ride while the other adult waits with the little ones. Once the riding adult returns, the waiting adult can then ride without having to wait in line again! Inform the cast members at the front of the ride and they will help you use this perk. Note that not all rides are included in the Rider Switch program. For a list of rides included in the Rider Switch program, click here.


8. KEEP OCCUPIED


Many of the rides have interesting artifacts to look at or an interactive queue while you wait. Pay attention to those and you might be in for some fun surprises! This works as a great way to keep your kids wandering eyes and minds occupied while you wait. You could also play a fun game with your phone (Heads Up) or keep an eye out for the famous "Hidden Mickeys" Disney World has scattered all over the parks.


9. WATCH THE FIREWORKS CROWD-FREE


The Fireworks at Magic Kingdom are a necessity for your trip! Because of this, however, the crowds can really build up in preparation for the show. If you are ready to leave the park, a great viewing location that will keep you away from the crowds is at the California Grill on top of Contemporary Resort. They will even dim the lights and play the music to the fireworks show! After a long day at the park, make your way over to the Contemporary and enjoy a nice relaxing meal with spectacular views of the fireworks. (There is even a viewing deck outside!). Reservations are required.


10. ENJOY EVERY MOMENT


As exciting and thrilling as Disney World can be, it is also exhausting. Mix that with hot temperatures and you can definitely expect some meltdowns (both kids and adults!). In the end however, there are so many amazing memories to be had that you will tell with your children for the rest of your lives. So take it all in and enjoy the ride!


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Hey! My name is Karen and I'm from Texas (even though Disney World has always felt like my real home). My first trip to Walt Disney World was in June of 1989 when I was a mere 3 months old! Although I would love to say I remembered it all, that's obviously not the case. It did, however, engrain in me a love for all things Disney that would carry on for years to come. Whether I'm at home checking wait times or planning my next Disney vacation, Disney is just about always on my mind. I hope that through all of my experiences and what I've learned managing my way through the parks that I can spread a little knowledge and share some tricks of my own with others!

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What to Do in Emergencies at Walt Disney World

I’m sure most anyone who has experienced Disney World knows that it’s basically a world in itself.  If you’re staying on property, you can have most of your needs taken care of without ever leaving the Disney bubble.  On a trip with my mother this spring, I learned how true that really is!

What to Do in Emergencies at Walt Disney World

By Megan Valentine

I’m sure most anyone who has experienced Disney World knows that it’s basically a world in itself.  If you’re staying on property, you can have most of your needs taken care of without ever leaving the Disney bubble.  On a trip with my mother this spring, I learned how true that really is!

Waiting for the bus as our mother daughter/joint birthday trip began.

Waiting for the bus as our mother daughter/joint birthday trip began.

On the night that I arrived at Disney World, I fell victim to a kidney stone (I now have anecdotal evidence that roller coasters like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train can dislodge kidney stones!) . Not the first one I’ve had, but having it start hurting me while on It’s a Small World means I’m going to have a really hard time riding that ride again! We managed to get back to our hotel (how we did that I still don’t know) before deciding that I really needed to get care for the situation. My mom contacted the front desk to ask for advice as we had never had to deal with such an emergent issue before and was told we should probably use Disney’s emergency services.

My granddad’s favorite ride is now my definitive least favorite!

My granddad’s favorite ride is now my definitive least favorite!

I hope no one will ever need to use this, but everyone should store it away if they visit Disney much at all.  If you have any emergency situation, you can call 911 from any Disney phone and it will summon the emergency services providers who work specifically for the company. They will come and care for you in true Disney fashion (and the professional care that you get from paramedics who are usually awesome). All of this costs nothing to you, which is amazing in itself! The manager at Disney’s All-Star Music came to meet us at the ambulance and even told my mother to bring them the receipt from our taxi/rideshare return and they would pay for it.  The only thing on their mind was our comfort and care, which was incredible.

After I finally returned to my resort the next morning, we also learned that Disney works with a concierge pharmacy for those staying at the resorts.  We went to the front desk at All-Star Music where we were staying and told them we needed to fill prescriptions, gave them all of the information, and a few hours later I had my medicine.  The pharmacy does not run insurance, so you will have to pay for the medicines outright, but not having to take an Uber, Lyft, or taxi to a pharmacy, wait for prescriptions, and do the same on the return was invaluable after spending 8 hours in an emergency room!

Throughout the whole experience, Walt Disney World cast members provided every service they possibly could for me and made sure that I was cared for as well as possible, working with us to reschedule reservations at the last minute and creating as much magic as they could for a negative situation. 

Most people know about the care centers for simple issues that are available throughout the parks, but this is definitely something that you don’t learn much about until it’s needed. Thanks to Disney emergency services, I was able to do what I needed to and my mom and I agree that, barring the first night spent in the ER, this was one of our absolute favorite trips!

Commemorating the experience with a celebrating button.

Commemorating the experience with a celebrating button.


Megan Valentine.jpg

My name is Megan Valentine.  I'm a travel junkie, a lifelong Disney fan, and a museum curator & registrar.  My granddad was born in 1928, just like Mickey Mouse, so he has worked to instill a love of all things Disney in his kids and grandkids.  He and my grandmother took me to Walt Disney World for the first time when I was four years old, and I have been addicted ever since.  I have now been to WDW seven times and can't get enough! I am the planner for all of my family's Disney trips and consultant for any friends with questions since I am always reading about Disney, listening to podcasts, or watching the movies. In addition to my Disney travels, I love to explore a variety of destinations with an ever-growing list of places to visit.  As a museum professional and art historian, I often seek out fascinating new museum exhibits when I can, particularly if it has anything to do with my other major obsession, Egypt! 

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Walt Disney World, Disney Parks Tyler Braun Walt Disney World, Disney Parks Tyler Braun

Ghosts of Disney Past: River Country

Ever since I started poking around on Wikipedia looking at different pages for the Disney parks when I was 11 (I know, I was a SUPER cool kid), one place within Walt Disney World’s property has always had a certain allure to me: River Country. The idea that Disney built an entire water park only to close it with no real explanation after years of success always stood out to me as fascinating, especially since to this day the joint still stands abandoned.

Ghosts of Disney Past: River Country

By Mason Lawrence

Ever since I started poking around on Wikipedia looking at different pages for the Disney parks when I was 11 (I know, I was a SUPER cool kid), one place within Walt Disney World’s property has always had a certain allure to me: River Country. The idea that Disney built an entire water park only to close it with no real explanation after years of success always stood out to me as fascinating, especially since to this day the joint still stands abandoned. Lucky for those of us who never had the chance to experience it for ourselves, River Country’s past is very well documented online with lots of pictures and video if you know where to look.

 

Situated on the shore of Bay Lake near Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, Disney’s River Country was Disney’s first water park, adding a whole new experience to the still young Walt Disney World Resort located around 23 miles southwest of Orlando, Florida. In the mid-1970s, the size of Walt Disney World was considerably smaller than the one we know and love today; Magic Kingdom was the only theme park, Contemporary, Polynesian Village, Fort Wilderness Campground and the Golf Resort were the only resort hotels on property, and the Magnolia and Palm Golf Courses served as a getaway for the golfers in the family. Walt Disney World as a whole was performing rather well, but execs struggled with figuring out how to get guests to stay for longer periods – that is, until River Country was born.

Guide map for Walt Disney World Resort circa 1971 (photo: orlandoweekly.com)


Disney Imagineering knew they had revolutionized the game in theme parks and that if they were going to build a water park, it would be held to the same standard as Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom. To try to go along with the theme of Fort Wilderness next-door, they settled on a rustic theme originally named “Pop Willow’s Grove” modeled after an “old-fashioned swimming hole.” To keep this theme as prominent as possible, Imagineers wanted to make guests feel as if they were actually swimming in Bay Lake. To make this possible, a unique filtering system was developed which used actual lake water and they built a dam between the land and Bay Lake, creating a type of man-made lagoon which would eventually become River Country’s main pool. (Side note: Disney sure does like to put the words “man-made” and “lagoon” together, huh? I’m looking at you Seven Seas Lagoon.) The main focal point of the park would be a man-made mountain which would have slides winding around it. To immerse guests further, Disney brought in pebbles from Georgia and the Carolinas and made the bottom of River Country’s main pool sand.

Model used by Disney Imagineering to realize the concept of River Country, then known as Pop Willow's Grove. (Photo: Pat Burke via themeparktourist.com)

On June 19, 1976, Disney’s River Country opened its doors for the first time, commemorated by Susan Ford (President Gerald R. Ford’s daughter) sliding down Whoop ‘n Holler Hollow, the park’s main slide duo. Admission was $4 for adults and $3 for children (that’s around $13 and $18 in today’s money), and even though it frequently closed due to reaching capacity, River Country was a hit!

Advertisement for River Country, 1978. Combination tickets for River Country and Treasure Island (later known as Discovery Island) were also sold. (Photo: Tom Simpson, Flickr)

River Country had a small but mighty repertoire of attractions and fun things to do, so let’s go through them! It boasted two different pools: Bay Cove and Upspring Plunge. Bay Cove was the one with the sand bottom and lake water, was half an acre in size, and had a tire swing, boom swing, rope climb, and T-bar drop, while Upspring Plunge was smaller, used normal water, and was a more relaxing and recreational swimming pool. As far as slides went, Whoop ‘n Holler Hollow was a duo of waterslides which acted as the main attraction of the park and emptied into the Bay Cove pool. Slippery Slide Falls was another pair of slides with a 7-foot drop down into the Upspring Plunge pool. The White Water Rapids was a sort of inner tube slide that started out as a lazy river, then picked up speed going downhill ending with a splash down into Bay Cove. Indian Springs and Kiddie Cove were little areas with slides and spraying fountains for little kids and preteens respectively, and Cypress Point Nature Trail took walkers through trees along the coast of Bay Lake. A popular means of transportation at River Country was a Barrel Bridge á la Tom Sawyer’s Island in Magic Kingdom.

Bay Cove pool with its dam separating the park from Bay Lake. Bay Cove had a sand bottom and included a tire swing, boom swing, rope climb, and T-bar drop. (Photo: ©Disney)

Bay Cove pool from the ground taken in October 1978. (Photo: Mike McInnis, Flickr)

Kiddie Kove in October 1978. Kiddie Kove was a little play area designed for younger children, complete with two slides and spraying fountains. (Photo: Mike MicInnis, Flickr)

Upspring Plunge pool and Slippery Slide Falls in May 1993. Upspring Plunge was a heated, clear water pool compared to the natural lake water used in Bay Cove. Slippery Slide Falls were two slides with a 7-foot drop to the water below. (Photo: © Scott Hanko, Flickr)

Goofy, believe it or not, was River Country’s mascot and could be seen occasionally sliding down Whoop ‘n Holler Hollow! You could also find him on a variety of park merch and on the logo.

Goofy taking a ride down Whoop 'n Holler Hollow! Sure do hope his fur is waterproof… (Photo: © Disney)

Goofy interacting with Guests at River Country. Based off his hat, I'm assuming this was during the "All-American Water Party" which ran from April to September 1997. (Photo: @DesigningDisney on Twitter via themeparktourist.com)

All seemed to be going pretty well in River Country, and on November 2, 2001, the park closed for its annual refurbishment at the end of the warm season with plans to open up the following year as normal. However, when springtime rolled around, River Country remained closed for that season…and the next one…and the next one…and the next one, until Disney announced in 2005 that the “OG” Disney water park would remain closed. But why? There were lots of whispers on the reasons why River Country just never reopened, some reasonable and some far out.

River Country park map near the end of its run. (Photo: © Disney)

On the far-out side, rumors circulated that River Country had closed because a patron died after being exposed to a brain-eating amoeba in the Bay Cove pool (the one that used water from Bay Lake). And while this did unfortunately happen, that was in the ‘80s and couldn’t possibly be the reason for the park’s closing over a decade later. More likely was the drop in park attendance, new laws, and drop in WDW attendance across the board. Following their openings, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach were very popular, and while this was good for Disney as a corporation, River Country suffered as it was considerably smaller than the other two competitors on property (Typhoon Lagoon was 9-10x bigger). New Florida laws concerning water parks needing to use municipal water also likely played a key role, seeing that one of the most iconic aspects of the park relied on lake water. Finally, following the September 11th attacks Walt Disney World saw an overall decline in attendance, so it was likely more feasible for Disney to close up River Country with its two previously mentioned issues than to cut corners elsewhere. So just like that, River Country closed.

Aerial view of River Country in April 2002 less than a year after its closing. Plants haven’t yet begun overrunning the property as they would in the near future. Red pins represent each of the park’s attractions. A) Whoop ‘n Holler Hollow; B) White Water Rapids; C) Bay Cove Pool; D) Slippery Slide Falls; E) Upspring Plunge; F) Kiddie Kove; G) Indian Springs; H) Bay Bridge; I) Barrel Bridge; J) Cypress Point Nature Trail. (Photo: Google Earth, labeling by me)

Disney must have been at least considering reopening the park eventually though, because it has stood abandoned since its 2001 season-end closing (as of December 2018). If you do a simple Google search you can find all sorts of photo and video of the abandoned park. I’ll leave that exploring to you since this post is gettin’ pretty long, but I encourage you to do so! This neat article by All That's Interesting and this YouTube video by Dark Exploration Films are good places to start!

Aerial of River Country in October 2006, nearly five years after closing. Red pins represent each of the park’s attractions. A) Whoop ‘n Holler Hollow; B) White Water Rapids; C) Bay Cove Pool; D) Slippery Slide Falls; E) Upspring Plunge; F) Kiddie Kove; G) Indian Springs; H) Bay Bridge; I) Barrel Bridge; J) Cypress Point Nature Trail (Photo: Google Earth, labeling by me)

Aerial view of River Country in January 2018. As you can see, vegetation has practically taken over the whole property. Red pins represent each of the park’s attractions. A) Whoop ‘n Holler Hollow; B) White Water Rapids; C) Bay Cove Pool; D) Slippery Slide Falls; E) Upspring Plunge; F) Kiddie Kove; G) Indian Springs; H) Bay Bridge; I) Barrel Bridge; J) Cypress Point Nature Trail (Photo: Google Earth, labeling by me)

For 25 years, River Country entertained guests of all ages and gave Walt Disney World that extra experience outside of the theme parks that executives felt was missing. During those 25 years, Walt Disney World Resort grew to a size very similar to how we see it today: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios (then known as Disney-MGM Studios), and Disney’s Animal Kingdom were all opened by April 1998. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Parks opened in in 1989 and 1995 respectively. Nineteen of today’s twenty-eight resort hotels were in operation.

 

Speaking of resorts, Disney recently announced that Reflections—A Disney Lakeside Lodge will be constructed on River Country’s land set to open in 2022. The resort will be a Disney Vacation Club property with 900 rooms and a nature lakeside lodge theme. It will be interesting to watch this project come to fruition and see if and how Disney will make references back to old River Country in the new resort. Maybe the main pool will be called Bay Cove or Upspring Plunge or have a mini version of the park re-created for guests to enjoy? That would be pretty cool, but we’ll just have to wait to find out!

Concept art for Reflections - A Disney Lakeside Lodge set to open in 2022 on the land previously occupied by River Country. (Photo: © Disney)

Do you have any memories of River Country? I’d love to hear them, so sound off in the comments! I hope you all have enjoyed my first blog post, and if you have any questions or topic ideas, drop them down below too! Until next time, see ya real soon!


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Welcome, foolish mortals, to The Ghosts of Disney Past! My name is Mason Lawrence, and even though I’m just an average almost-20-year-old from Iowa, I’ve been going to the Disney parks pretty much my entire life. By day I study history and social studies education at Iowa State University (go Cyclones!), but in my spare time I love learning about Disney history and trivia.  My goal here is to give you the background and teach you something you might not have known about some of your favorite Disney parks, resorts, and attractions both past and present! Now, as they say, “look alive,” and we’ll continue our little tour. And let’s all stay together, please.




Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.

 

All images and video included are copyright to their respective holders.

 

 

Text Sources:

“A Tribute to Disney’s River Country.” Big Florida Country, 2018

            www.bigfloridacountry.com/rivercountry.htm

Russon, Gabrielle. “New Disney Resort Will Open at Former River Country Water Park Site in

2022.” OrlandoSentinel.com, 18 Oct. 2018,

www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-bz-disney-hotel-new-20181018-

story.html

Sim, Nick. “Abandoned: The Rise, Fall, and Decay of Disney’s River Country.” Theme Park Tourist,

            29 Mar. 2015,

            www.themeparktourist.com/features/20150323/30074/abandoned-rise-fall-and-decay-

disney-s-river-country.

Weiss, Werner. “River Country Closed by Brain-Eating Amoeba? (Part 1 of 2).” Yesterland, 21

            Sept. 2012, www.yesterland.com/rivercountry.html

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Fantasia Gardens: Miniature Golf at The Happiest Place on Earth

My husband and I recently returned from a week of amazing Disney World magic. For our fourth Disney trip as a couple, we decided to try new things outside the normal realm of a typical visit to “The Mouse”.

Fantasia Gardens: Miniature Golf at The Happiest Place on Earth

By Rachel Petrosky

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My husband and I recently returned from a week of amazing Disney World magic. For our fourth Disney trip as a couple, we decided to try new things outside the normal realm of a typical visit to “The Mouse”. We purposefully only visited the parks for two days out of our time there, opting instead to take the road less traveled…for us anyway. We knew a miniature golf course existed on Disney property, having passed by it before, so this time around we blocked out our schedules for the experience. Allow me to share all that I learned attempting to play my best, in case you were pondering whether it’s an activity worth trying on your next vacation.  Let’s break everything down into categories…

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Location

Where is this place anyway? According to the “official Disney website”, (which you can find here https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/fantasia-gardens-fairways-miniature-golf/) Fantasia Gardens is located in the Epcot Resort area near the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel. We opted taking a bus to Hollywood Studios and walking up to the Boardwalk, then around to the Swan and across the street. It was a hike. If you happen to have access to the boats around boardwalk area, I would suggest taking those. Your feet will thank you.

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Price

When paying for a round of golf, it is important to note that you only pay for one side of the course. Because there’s two. They are very different from each other so choose wisely. For a single game, adults are $14 and children are $12. Not too shabby for a Disney experience, I was expecting twenty or more. We paid for the “family friendly adventure” our first go around. The attendants told us to show up the next day with our receipt and we would receive 25% off the next game. And we did just that.

 

Playing Experience

As mentioned, Fantasia Gardens has two different courses for you to choose from. A family friendly side and a challenging side. My advice is to begin on the family friendly side, unless you’re Tiger Woods. More on that in a second. If you’re bringing the kiddos, I would only opt for family friendly. If you are just a party of adults, I would still opt for that one unless you are very skilled in golf. I am not skilled in golf at all. Your family side is a typical miniature golf experience. Make the shot. Go through the cave. Hit it through the windmill, etc. There are Disney sculptures along your route for nice picture opportunities as well. Take the family, post on Instagram, it’s a pleasant experience.

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The challenging course is just what it says it is, very challenging, at least to me. This is not a “putt putt” type of golfing game. This is an actual golf course, shrunk in mini form. Sand traps, bunkers, water hazards and sloping greens are all present. There is also a “rule” posted stating there is a six-par limit on each hole. Basically, you have six chances to get your ball in the hole or you should move on to the next one. This will keep the course from becoming backed up and clogged from someone like me still trying on her twenty-eighth par. (I don’t want to talk about it)

Other Considerations

There are a few more things to keep in mind before agreeing to seek this adventure out. What is the weather like on that day? The only shading offered was a few trees so if you’re one to duck in and get out of the Florida sun and humidity, you may take that into consideration. What amenities are available? As soon as you walk up to the counter, there is a room adjacent with snacks and drinks for purchase. Ice cream, chips, water, sodas, and even beer and hard cider for the grown-ups. The prices for these was typical for any Disney location. I also recommend pocketing a few extra balls. If you “accidentally” lose one, you may find yourself getting lost on the way back to the counter.

To wrap this up, I had a good time and I’m glad we checked it off our bucket list. If I do it again, I’ll go in the winter and I’ll do the family friendly side…unless I practice at the range first. I will also remember what the great Yoda once said, “Do or do not, there is no try”.


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Hi friends! I’m Rachel Petrosky. I’m an educator, military wife, and lifelong Disney fan. My husband and love it so much, we married at Shades of Green near the Magic Kingdom. We try and go every year if we can! You can follow me on Instagram @racheybabebeauty. “Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.” -Walt Disney

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Taking an Infant or Young Child to Walt Disney World

If you are a parent, you know that traveling anywhere with a child is a process. Babies, in particular, seem to require a disproportionately large amount of stuff to go anywhere.

Taking an Infant or Young Child to Walt Disney World

By Christina Mauro

Part 1: Useful information

If you are a parent, you know that traveling anywhere with a child is a process. Babies, in particular, seem to require a disproportionately large amount of stuff to go anywhere. My husband and I have traveled to Walt Disney World many times, so we know how to pack for vacation when it is just the two of us. This year we took our nine-month-old daughter, and having never traveled to Walt Disney World with children, I had a lot of questions!

If you are planning a trip to Disney World with an infant or young child, Part 1 will provide information to answer some basic questions you may have about taking them to Disney World. Part 2 will talk more specifically about our trip, what we chose to do (or not do) and how it worked out for us overall.

Do I need to bring a car seat?

If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort and will be taking the Magical Express bus service from the airport to your resort, you will not need to bring a car seat. In fact, car seats are not recommended on the buses, because there is no guarantee that the available seat belts will be able to secure them properly. You will not need a car seat for the Walt Disney World Bus Service either.

If you would like to travel by car between resorts for any reason, such as a dining reservation, the (fairly new) LYFT Minnie Vans are available, each of which have two car seats on board. The Minnie Vans can also take you off property. It is worth mentioning that the Minnie Vans cost significantly more than a regular LYFT, however, if you are running late for a reservation or a FastPass, or want to travel more efficiently between parks/resorts, they would be a good option to consider. Within the LYFT app, the option for a Minnie Van will appear in the same way the app shows an available car, SUV or black car.

If you need to travel off of Disney property and would like to rent a car and car seat to do so, there are several locations on Disney property, including the Dolphin hotel and Disney Springs, where you can rent a car and a car seat.

Should I bring my own stroller, or can I rent one?

You are able to rent strollers for the day in all of the Disney world theme parks and Disney Springs. You can rent a stroller by day, or pre-pay for the number of days you will need to have a stroller in the parks. Strollers can be picked up at Guest Services when you arrive at the park, and must be returned when you leave. You cannot take the stroller out of the park. The benefit to renting a stroller in the park is that you will not have to carry one around or take it on the bus, but the downside is that you would not have one outside of the parks, should you need it.

Something worth noting is that the strollers for rent in the Disney World parks are made of plastic, and are not designed for young children or babies. They do not fold up, and are not adjustable at all. If your child is old enough that they can sit up or hold themselves in a seated position comfortably for a long time, then these strollers might work for you. That being said, my nine-month old would not have been comfortable for a long time in one of the park-provided strollers, even though she can sit on her own for a long period of time.

The daily price to rent a single stroller is $15, and a double stroller is $31. If you rent a stroller in Disney Springs, there is a $100 deposit.

There are also a number of private companies from whom you can rent strollers. Pricing varies by company, and they usually have several options to choose from. These companies will usually deliver the stroller directly to your resort, and pick it up when your trip is over.

Do I need to bring my own Pack and Play for my baby to sleep in?

If you are staying at a Disney resort, they will provide you with a Pack and Play or portable crib upon request. I recommend calling to request one from your resort before you arrive. This way it will be put into your room prior to your arrival.

Is there anywhere on Disney Property where I can buy baby necessities, such as diapers, wipes, or food?

There are a number of places where you can buy baby essentials on Disney property.

I had never paid much attention to what baby supplies were available for purchase in the resort shops. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the shops were well stocked with baby necessities such as diapers, wipes, food, snacks and medications, and the prices for those items were very reasonable, and close to what I would have paid at the drugstore.

Another place you can find baby necessities is the Baby Centers. Like the Disney World resorts, the Baby Centers also have a shop where you can purchase baby and child

necessities. In addition to what you can find at the resorts, you can also buy bottles, pacifiers, formula, food, and toys in the Baby Centers. They also have more types of medications for both babies and children than the resorts.

If you have never been into one of the Baby Centers, I highly recommend checking them out! Firstly, they are air-conditioned. This may not seem like a big deal since a lot of the rides have air conditioned queues, and the restaurants are also air conditioned, but on a really hot day in Florida, taking a short break in an air-conditioned space can make all the difference for you and your baby. Secondly, they are equipped with at least half a dozen changing tables with changing pads and hygienic liners. KoalaCare changing tables are great and all, but nothing beats a real changing pad.

Furthermore, the Baby Centers have several small rooms for nursing mothers that have locking doors, changing tables and a rocking chair. They have filtered water machines that dispense both cold and hot water for making formula, as well as microwaves for heating food or milk. There are also sinks for cleaning bottles and other baby gear.

I wish I had taken full advantage of the baby centers while we were on our trip, but I did not go into one until the fifth day of our trip. I stumbled upon the one in the Animal Kingdom while I was looking for a bathroom. That particular Baby Center happens to be next to Creature Comforts (aka Starbucks), so my baby got a break in the air conditioning while I changed and fed her, and I got a Venti Iced Chai Latte.

It is also worth mentioning that you can have items delivered directly to your resort ahead of your trip. These packages will be received at the Front Desk and delivered to your hotel room. There is a $5 package handling fee per package received before or during your stay. I looked into this as an option because I knew we would need somewhere between 30-50 diapers, several packages of wipes, and a fair amount of baby snacks and food for this trip, and I knew that would take up a lot of space in a suitcase. We did end up packing all of those items, because we checked our luggage, but if you are traveling with only a carry-on, or are staying for a long period of time, this may be a good option for you.

Rider Switch: what is it, and how does it work?

If you think that visiting Disney World with your small children means that you will have to miss out on your favorite rides, think again! Rider Switch is a service that allows one member of your party to stay with the child/children who cannot ride the attraction while the other members of the party enjoy it. Rider Switch is great because it allows everyone to be able to enjoy a ride and no one has to miss out. The best part is that the Switched member of the party can go on the ride with two additional members from your party! So two lucky friends get to ride twice. An added bonus is that the second group gets to go in via the FastPass+ line, so you will not have to wait in the queue a second time. Here is an explanation of how Rider Switch worked for us on our trip:

My in-laws joined us on our trip to Disney, so there were four adults and one baby in our party. When we went on Big Thunder Mountain, I stayed with the baby while my husband and in-laws went on the ride. Then my father-in-law stayed with the baby while my husband, my mother-in-law, and I went through the FastPass+ line to go on the ride. Rider Swap does take some extra time, since most of your party will be going on the ride twice, so you should factor that into your planning, especially for those rides that have a long introduction in their queue like Soarin’ or Avatar: Flight of Passage.

Traveling with small children can be a stressful experience, but I believe that with enough information and planning, it doesn’t have to be! I hope this information helped to answer some of your questions about taking an infant to Disney World. In Part 2, I’ll talk about our first trip with our daughter, what worked and didn’t work for us.


Christina Mauro.jpg

Hi! I’m Christina Mauro.  I’m a new mom, a makeup enthusiast, a science nerd, and not so deep down, a Disney Princess… Belle, to be exact.  My first trip to Disney World was in 2012, and I was immediately taken by the magic of the experience, and quickly became a Disney World fanatic.  I love the atmosphere and the rides of Disney World, but my favorite part of Disney vacation is the food! I dream of eating a waffle with Nutella and fresh fruit from Sleepy Hollow in the shadow of Cinderella’s Castle, and I drool when I think about the spare ribs from Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs.  When I’m not at Disney World, I live in Maryland with my husband Jon, our daughter Abigail, and our rescue pup Gabbie.     


Instagram: cbrmauro

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Walt Disney World, Disney Parks Tyler Braun Walt Disney World, Disney Parks Tyler Braun

Disney After Mickey’s 90th

As the confetti settles from one of the biggest birthday celebrations to ever rock the Disney Parks, many fans are left wondering what the future holds for Walt Disney World. At a recent press event following Mickey Mouse’s birthday, tons of news was announced concerning everything from new shows, resorts and attractions, to expansions of entire lands in the parks, and even new transportation options between the parks and resorts.

Disney After Mickey’s 90th

What Disney Lovers Can Look Forward to in the Next 90 Years




By Lauren Compasso

At a recent press event following Mickey Mouse’s birthday, tons of news was announced concerning everything from new shows, resorts and attractions, to expansions of entire lands in the parks, and even new transportation options between the parks an…

At a recent press event following Mickey Mouse’s birthday, tons of news was announced concerning everything from new shows, resorts and attractions, to expansions of entire lands in the parks, and even new transportation options between the parks and resorts. Above, Epcot’s Future World, which will soon be receiving a massive makeover.

As the confetti settles from one of the biggest birthday celebrations to ever rock the Disney Parks, many fans are left wondering what the future holds for Walt Disney World. At a recent press event following Mickey Mouse’s birthday, tons of news was announced concerning everything from new shows, resorts and attractions, to expansions of entire lands in the parks, and even new transportation options between the parks and resorts. It seems as if almost every part of the Walt Disney World property will be “plussed” (Walt’s word for ‘made better’) in the near future, leaving nothing untouched. Now, I know what you’re thinking...but these announcements only cover the next few years. What about beyond that? Here’s my take on the recent flood of news Disney fans have been getting. Walt warned us about the future of his beloved parks from the very beginning. Many of us are very familiar with his famous words: “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” He knew that progress was the true hallmark of his work and in order to keep the magic alive, the parks would always be in a state of change. Let’s break down three main themes of progression that we can expect from the next 90 years: technology, expansion, and nostalgia.



Walt was obsessed with constantly improving his work by combining his fascination with cutting edge technology and imaginative design into his attractions.



One of the driving forces that has always carried change and progress through the Walt Disney World Resort is the introduction of new technology. Walt was obsessed with constantly improving his work by combining his fascination with cutting edge technology and imaginative design into his attractions. The parks have consistently delivered innovative ideas to guests, providing many people with experiences that they have never seen anywhere else. The integration of new technological advances is an inevitable part of the next 90 years, and beyond. The upcoming Tron Light Cycle attraction coming to Tomorrowland is a perfect example, although this ride does already exist in Shanghai Disney. The use of map projection technology that we have seen rise in popularity in recent years with animatronics and nighttime spectaculars will also continue to be perfected and improved upon for the future shows and attractions coming to the parks in new and exciting ways.

(Walt) knew that progress was the true hallmark of his work and in order to keep the magic alive, the parks would always be in a state of change. Above, Walt Disney World’s new Toy Story Land.

(Walt) knew that progress was the true hallmark of his work and in order to keep the magic alive, the parks would always be in a state of change. Above, Walt Disney World’s new Toy Story Land.


Another concept that I believe will shape the next 90 years of Disney is that of expansion. The Walt Disney World Resort spans about 43 square miles, where Disneyland Resort only spans 500 acres. When creating what was then nicknamed “The Florida Project”, Walt stated that Orlando gave them the blessing of size. When you look at how far the Disney company has grown since the first park opening over 60 years ago, you might think “where do we go from here?” In the past 25 years alone we have gained Blizzard Beach, Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, New Fantasyland, Pandora: The World Of Avatar, Toy Story Land, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opening soon. In recent years, Disney has added almost 20 new hotels to the resort and is planning to add even more in the very near future. With all that growth, Walt Disney World still has so much room for expansion and with many guests begging for a “5th gate”, the possibilities on the horizon are endless. When can we expect the next big development at Walt Disney World? Unfortunately, we just don’t know yet. However, if you look back at how far we have come in the past, the future is closer than we think. It may just be a pipe dream for now, but I think it’s safe to say we could get that 5th park in the next 90 years.


Ever since audiences got a taste of what it was like to see their favorite classic films reimagined, this trend took off like wildfire.


Lastly, I want to mention one of the most prevalent topics that we have seen in recent years at Disney and that is the resurgence of nostalgia. What’s old is new again when it comes to Disney and this is most apparent when it comes to films and merchandise. The drastic increase in the popularity of the Disney from our childhood is undeniable. The first film to kick off this trend was the live action remake of Alice in Wonderland in 2010, with the wildly successful Maleficent following in 2014. Ever since audiences got a taste of what it was like to see their favorite classic films reimagined, this trend took off like wildfire. Disney has since slated seven live action remakes between now and 2020 starting with Mary Poppins Returns later this month. Some have criticized the Disney’ Company’s reliance on these live action films by claiming that they are mass produced money grabs resulting from a lack of new and fresh ideas. What many of those critics underestimate is the hunger Disney fans have for the nostalgia of their youth and the desire to relive it with their children of the new generation. It has served as a recipe for box office success keeping theatres full worldwide, and it doesn’t show signs of slowing down anytime soon.

So much of my favorite memories, my biggest joys, and the foundation of who I am today has been influenced by that indescribable quality of Disney magic. Walt was famously quoted as saying, “I hope that we never lose sight of one thing...that it all started with a mouse,” but I have always believed that we owe everything to Walt. Since the day the world was introduced to Mickey Mouse on November 18th, 1928, Walt’s passion for outgoing himself has laid the groundwork for 90 years of wonder, magic and fantasy. What better way to pay tribute to his trailblazing ideas and the happiness that Walt and Mickey created than to keep moving forward, staying curious, and believing in the impossible? If we follow in the footsteps of the past, the next 90 years will unfold into a bright and enchanting future.


Lauren Compasso.jpg

Hiya pals! Allow me to introduce myself...my name is Lauren and I currently live in Charleston, SC but my real home is Walt Disney World. I became an Annual Passholder for the first time in 2018 and have fallen even more in love with the magic of the parks. I’ve been obsessed with Disney ever since I was a little girl watching Lion King and Little Mermaid on repeat practically every day of my childhood. I actually watched Lion King so much that I wore out the VHS twice! The pure fantasy of the all the music and movies has shaped who I am as an adult and I hope to share some of that passion with others!

To me, the most magical thing about Disney is how it brings people together; families and strangers alike. I've made so many new friends and loved ones through a shared obsession of Disney and for that reason, it will always have a special place in my heart. I guess you can say that making magical memories is my favorite thing to do! I can most commonly be found taking Instagram pictures while eating a Mickey bar and rushing to the next FastPass. I can also be easily spotted by the mouse ears on my head and I am shamelessly excitable around firework shows! You can get to know a little bit more about me and follow along with my Disney adventures by following my on Instagram @girlmeetswalt


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Top Five Quick-Service Restaurants in the Walt Disney World Parks

If pre-planning where you are going to eat is not a priority when it comes to mapping out your Disney vacation, you are missing out on a huge, and delicious, side of Disney! You will never be hungry or in search of food when at Disney, that’s for sure. Just follow the smells!

Are You Hungry Yet?

Top Five Quick-Service Restaurants in the Walt Disney World Parks

By Jennifer Henry

If pre-planning where you are going to eat is not a priority when it comes to mapping out your Disney vacation, you are missing out on a huge, and delicious, side of Disney! You will never be hungry or in search of food when at Disney, that’s for sure. Just follow the smells!

I thought it would be fun for me, and hopefully helpful for you, to break down the top 5 Quick Service Restaurants in the parks. I am a former Cast Member who worked in Food and Beverage at the Magic Kingdom, so you could say Disney food is sort of my forte.

Over the past few years, Disney has done a really good job of reinventing their Quick Service menus throughout the whole property. While you can still find your typical park food, like chicken nuggets and cheeseburgers, you will also find meals geared towards a more gourmet palate, as well as an offering of healthier menu options and items for those with special dietary requirements. I really love the variety they have started incorporating in their menus because if you are going on a weeklong vacation, you are not going find yourself having to eat the same thing every day.

Top 5 Quick Service Restaurants Inside the Parks

5. Flame Tree Barbecue, Animal Kingdom

This is one of those restaurants you walk away feeling full, and possibly even grateful that there is a long walk between you and Expedition Everest. They have an amazing menu ranging from the sampler, which offers ribs, chicken, and pulled pork, to a Smokehouse Salad that has cornbread croutons (I mean, come on!), to my personal favorite, BAKED MACARONI & CHEESE WITH PULLED PORK! Overall, the food here is so good, and they have a really nice outdoor seating area. There are covered pavilions tucked away along the water, which can make for a nice break in the afternoon. Definitely a Quick-Service Restaurant to check out when at Animal Kingdom!

Their full menu is here.

4. Pecos Bill, Magic Kingdom

Pecos is one of those restaurants that went through a few different menu changes before they found their current groove. They offer a Mexican inspired menu with a fajitas, nachos, tacos, and rice bowls, and I am a fan. The nachos are big enough to share, so if you are on the Dining Plan, you could get away with saving a few credits by ordering a few meals to share with the whole family! The same could be said for the wallet. Save a little money and share! They have a taco of the month, which I think is awesome, because there will always be something new to try! One my favorite things about this restaurant is the dimly lit room towards the back of the dining area. It’s a nice oasis to escape to during the brutal summer heat. You can get re-energized, refreshed and ready to go for the rest of the day in the park!

Their full menu is here.

3. Casey’s Corner, Magic Kingdom

Ok, so this one is me being totally biased. When I worked at the Magic Kingdom, Casey’s was a huge part of that journey. Is it tiny bit cramped? Yes. Does it always seem extremely busy? Yes. Could seating be improved? Yes. But is it worth it to check out this place during a slower part of the day? Absolutely yes! Unless of course, you can’t stand hot dogs. Their corn dog nuggets are iconic and something I (and many many other Cast Members) ate far too often. They are perfect as a snack, or you can add fries and make it a full meal. You also can’t go wrong with their classic chili cheese dog, or if you are feeling a little more adventurous, you can opt for the Bacon Macaroni & Cheese Hot Dog. They change the menu every so often to incorporate new specialty hot dogs, but you can always bet this place will deliver. The best time of day to visit is right before (or during) the afternoon parade, as well as during the fireworks. While you’re there, be sure to catch the pianist outside!

Their full menu is here.

2. Tangierine Café, Epcot

I know this cuisine may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this place is amazing. Tangierine Café is located in the Moroccan Pavilion in World Showcase and offers Mediterranean fare that won’t leave you feeling extremely full or sluggish, but still satisfied. It’s the perfect afternoon stop. They have Chicken and/or Lamb Shawarma Platters, a Veggie Platter, olives, couscous salad, lentil salad and more. It’s all so good. I get the clean plate award whenever I visit Tangierine Café.  In the same area, there is a coffee bar with pastries, and since you’re there, you might as well indulge! I remember on one particularly cold day, which doesn’t happen very often in Florida, I got the Tangierine Coffee, which has orange liquor, and it hit the spot. If you are into Mediterranean cuisine, this is a must stop for you!

Their full menu is here.

1. Sunshine Seasons, Epcot

I know this is not a surprise at all. Sunshine Seasons is hands down the best quick service restaurant inside the parks, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner! It is located inside The Land Pavilion near Soarin’ and has something satisfy everyone in the family! Sunshine Seasons is a cafeteria style quick service restaurant with a wide variety of options, offering Asian noodles, salmon, rotisserie chicken, soups, salads and sandwiches. There is also an impressive bakery that will be sure to satisfy! Overall, their menu incorporates fresh ingredients and is a nice healthier option, but still delicious! My favorite is the Mongolian Beef, which has been a constant on their menu for years. My only gripe with this Quick Service Restaurant is that all I want to do at Epcot is eat. There are so many delicious food items that you cannot possibly fit them all into one day, or one trip for that matter!

You can check out their full menu here, however they have more items at the location than what is always listed.

I hope you all enjoyed my breakdown of the top 5 Quick Service Restaurants found inside the parks! I would love to hear if you agree with my list or what your personal favorite Quick-Service Restaurants are. Keep a lookout for my top 5 Quick-Service Restaurants outside of the parks, and until then, keep dreaming of those Casey’s Corndog Nuggets!


Jennifer Henry.jpg

Hey fellow Disney fans! My name is Jennifer Henry and I can’t remember a time when I was not obsessed with Disney. I grew up 3 hours from Orlando, so we visited Walt Disney World multiple times a year and it became a happy place to forget about the outside world for my whole family. I did the Disney College Program in the Spring of 2011 and it was absolutely the best time of my life! I got to work in the Magic Kingdom in Tomorrowland and on Main Street, so it was truly a dream come true. After college I moved to Orlando and went full time with the company. I spent 5 wonderful years working for the mouse and is a time of my life I look back on fondly. Now residing in Atlanta, Georgia, I try to visit Disney World as often as possible. When not at Disney, you will more than likely find me listening to Disney Park background music and dreaming my next trip home!  

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“Adulting” in Walt Disney World

If you’re a Disney lover without little ones, you’ve probably had someone ask you why you choose to go to Walt Disney World as an adult, and why you don’t go elsewhere.

“Adulting” At Disney



By Nicole Wood

 

If you’re a Disney lover without little ones, you’ve probably had someone ask you why you choose to go to Walt Disney World as an adult, and why you don’t go elsewhere.

First of all, you don’t need that kind of negativity in your life (Ha!) and you shouldn’t feel like you need to defend your vacation destination to anyone. If Disney is what you love, even as an adult, you do you!

Maybe it’s your first time venturing to the parks as an adult. Perhaps you’re going with a significant other, or as a girl’s trip. Heck, maybe you’re even taking on the parks as a solo adventure! Whatever way you’re taking in all the fun that Walt Disney World has to offer, there is something for everyone.

What I’d like to dive into with today’s post is how to “Adult” at Walt Disney World (henceforth abbreviated to WDW, okay? Okay.) I am going to dig into some of my experiences during my most recent trips as well as some fun ideas and activities that are on my WDW wish list.


Another fun thing that I like to look out for at Magic Kingdom (and all the parks, really) are hidden Mickeys.


Let’s start with Magic Kingdom (I dare you not to tear up just a tad as you round that corner on Main Street USA and see the castle for the very first time!). What I have come to appreciate about this park as an adult is the rich history behind every little detail. Have you ever looked up at the windows on Main Street USA? See all of those names? The windows are designed to act as credits leading up to the big show at the end, which is Cinderella Castle. All of the names have to do with someone who was involved in creating Magic Kingdom. Walt Disney’s name can be seen right above the ice cream parlor, forever having the greatest view of the fireworks.

Another fun thing that I like to look out for at Magic Kingdom (and all the parks, really) are hidden Mickeys. These have become a sort of phenomenon within the Disney community, and they are a lot of fun to try to find. The next time you’re riding the Haunted Mansion, see if you can spot the hidden Mickey in the dining room dance scene (hint: look for a 3-plate place setting). This kind of attention to detail is something that I truly respect and love as an adult.

Animal Kingdom has evolved so much since its opening, and I still feel like it’s such an underrated park! Some of my must-dos when I’m in Animal Kingdom are as follows: Expedition Everest, It’s Tough to be a Bug, Kilimanjaro Safari, and exploring Pandora. As stated with Magic Kingdom, the detail here will blow your mind, especially in Pandora. This park is filled with fun adult things to eat and drink; Grab yourself an African Bloody Mary (extra spicy!) from Dawa Bar, Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Pulled Pork from Flame Tree Barbecue (it’s heaven- trust me on this), and finish up your hot Florida day with a refreshing Dole Whip (with a splash of rum, if you’re so inclined) from Tamu Tamu Refreshments.  Ride the rides, eat the food, drink the drinks, and take in all of the sights and sounds around Animal Kingdom.

Finish up your hot Florida day with a refreshing Dole Whip (with a splash of rum, if you’re so inclined) from Tamu Tamu Refreshments.

Finish up your hot Florida day with a refreshing Dole Whip (with a splash of rum, if you’re so inclined) from Tamu Tamu Refreshments.

*Drumroll, please* Epcot. Let’s talk about Epcot. The older I get and the more times I visit WDW, I grow fonder and fonder of this park. In my humble opinion, Epcot has the MOST to offer in terms of “adulting”. Not only does Epcot deliver amazing festivals throughout the year (Festival of the Arts, Flower Garden Festival, Food and Wine, Festival of the Holidays) but World Showcase is hands down the most fun to do as an adult.

Let me say it one more time for the people in the cheap seats: THE ATTENTION TO DETAIL IS IMPECCABLE! I won’t say it again, I swear.

Starting with Future World as you enter the park, I love going into the Land pavilion to ride Living with the Land (look out for hidden Mickeys!). It’s always amazing to see all of the different things that Disney and Epcot are doing to really be eco-friendly within the parks, and this ride is something that can show you a real look behind the scenes. If you’re really into this aspect of the park, take the Behind the Seeds tour. This tour is something that you can generally book day-of, and it’s only $25/person! This is something that is near the top of my WDW wish list.

Also within the Land pavilion is Garden Grill Restaurant. This is a family-style restaurant where you get to meet Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale, which alone will leave you absolutely fan-girling (just me? Okay…). Not only is the experience a 10/10, but the food and atmosphere really take this restaurant to the next level. You actually rotate through parts of the Living with the Land attraction while you eat, and you are eating fruit and vegetables that are grown in the greenhouses that you go through on Living with the Land! How cool is that?! I highly recommend this character dining experience, whether you’re 9 or 99. And as an even bigger plus, you don’t have to wait in line to meet Mickey Mouse and his pals because they come right to you!

Alright. Here we go. World Showcase. Buckle in and get ready because we’re diving deep here, friends. World Showcase is home to 11 different countries, countless shops, awesome rides and shows, and drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic). What’s not to love?


It’s exciting to step outside of your comfort zone and to take in all that the pavilions have to offer all while enjoying your refreshing adult beverages.


One of my favorite activities to do around World Showcase is to Drink Around the World. By now, this is something that most WDW goers know about, and it is a well-loved must do by locals and visitors alike. Below you will see some pictures of my last venture around the world (we only made it to 9 countries). The drinks are delicious and it’s a fun way to try things that you may not normally have access to back home. For instance, I’m from Wisconsin. We have beer and old fashioneds galore, but you won’t find a place to serve you a Grand Marnier Orange Slush like you can find in the France pavilion. It’s exciting to step outside of your comfort zone and to take in all that the pavilions have to offer all while enjoying your refreshing adult beverages.

As I mentioned earlier, Epcot is home to some amazing festivals. Over the past couple years, these festivals are pretty much offered year round, and there’s truly something at each one that everyone can find to enjoy. My personal favorite is Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival (because, well, food and wine). This is another fun way to drink and eat around the world, because on top of the 11 countries, there are multiple pop-up countries that appear during this festival. Most of the pop-up stands will offer small bites and beverages, and again, it’s fun to step out of your comfort zone!

You may have noticed that I haven’t mentioned Hollywood Studios. With this park going through so many changes over the past and coming years, I haven’t been able to get to “re-know” this park as much as I’d like to. However, definitely hit up Tower of Terror and Rockin’ Roller Coaster- they will give you the best adrenaline rush ever!

One last area that I want to touch on is Disney Springs. On my most recent trip in October of 2018, I fell in love with Disney Springs. We spent an entire evening wandering through all of the shops, getting dinner, and enjoying the live entertainment. Really, Disney Springs has something to offer for absolutely everyone. There’s Splitsville, which is a restaurant and a bowling alley, House of Blues, and Goofy’s Candy Co. to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. Disney Springs is the perfect place to spend your arrival day/night, and you don’t have to purchase an additional park ticket – it’s free to get in!

So, to wrap all of this up into a nice tidy package: the next time someone asks why you, as an adult, like to go to Walt Disney World, give them some of these answers. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even convince a non-Disney lover to go with you, and maybe they’ll see just how magic this place can really be.


Nicole Lynn.jpg

Just a small town, Wisconsin girl, dreaming of making it in a Disney World. Hi, friends! My name is Nicole Wood, and the love of Disney is deeply ingrained in my heart and soul. I just recently became an Annual Passholder for Walt Disney World (OMG, right?!) and I try to get to the parks as often as I can. If you’d like, I’d love to have you follow my adventures over on Instagram @nic0l3lynn3 - Happy travels!  

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Top 5 Souvenirs for Any Trip

Have you ever pondered the best way to commemorate a trip? I’ve often wondered if that [key chain/shot glass/pack of cards, insert random impractical item here] is really the best souvenir for my life.

Top 5 Souvenirs for Any Trip!

By Jenny West

Have you ever pondered the best way to commemorate a trip? I’ve often wondered if that [key chain/shot glass/pack of cards, insert random impractical item here] is really the best souvenir for my life. I certainly don’t use a shot glass so often that I need 25 of them. If I put every key chain I’ve purchased on my keys, janitors would make fun of me. And those packs of cards are all fun and games until I try to combine them with other decks for Spite and Malice, as travel decks are usually a different size from regular playing cards. Many of these end up not being practical for my life and get stored in a souvenir box in my shameful hoarder closet.

So today I’ve scoped out 5 of the best souvenirs. Whether the souvenir is for you or a loved one, these are sure to be loved for years to come (and not put in a souvenir box in your closet).

1. Postcards


The first two greatest things about postcards is that they’re small and inexpensive. After that, you could even mail them home to yourself. That way you have a fun treat when you get home. From there, you can put your favorites in frames or shadow boxes with photos of you in that place.

2. Magnets


Similar to postcards, magnets are small. You don’t have to spend three minutes wrapping them up in your socks to be sure they make it home in one piece. They tend to be expensive for what they are, depending on where you buy them, but I’ve always been able to find reasonably priced options. Then back at home you can hang that grocery list with your Bear Crossing - Vancouver magnet and smile at a fun memory.

3. Mugs/Homeware

This type of souvenir is for those of you who prefer the items you buy to have a practical purpose, which I get. If you need a cheese knife, why not have a fun one? You will spend a little bit more and fret a little more about securing these, but you’ll likely have these fun trip reminders for years to come. And who wouldn’t smile seeing Mickey Mouse while making your morning coffee? Or the Eiffel Tower on your corkscrew while opening wine? I personally love hanging my travel ornaments every Christmas.

4. Pins

This type won’t be for everyone, but trust me it’s a good one. It may be a little more on the expensive side, especially at Disney, but completely worth it when you find that one character you absolutely love. They’re great for jazzing up a blazer for work or decorating your stocking, or using as a push pin on your cork board. Possibilities are endless. Again these are pretty small so you have the benefit of not worrying about how to pack it.

5. Accessories/Apparel


This is another practical, everyday type of souvenir, especially for those trying minimalism. If you’re traveling during colder months, maybe a sweater from that trip to France. And it doesn't need to be those tourist sweaters. Maybe that’s the trip you find a really nice knit sweater. Or a scarf or a new hat. For summer trips, this could go the other way. Maybe you find a wonderful beach bag, or a swim cover, or fun sunglasses. Then you can take memories from one trip with you— on another trip!

I hope you guys enjoyed this list. Let us all know: What’s your go-to travel souvenir? Do you always collect something specific from your travels?

Happy traveling everyone!


Jenny West.jpg

Hi! I’m Jenny and I have no idea what I’m doing most of them time. You can read more about it on my blog, https://lifeamateursite.wordpress.com. It’s a smorgasbord of topics, travel and Disney included. Come say hello. 

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Disney After Hours | Is It Worth It?

In the last few years, Walt Disney World has begun offering a slew “hard ticketed” events. Guests can choose to add these their vacation, for a relatively substantial fee. As an avid Disney enthusiast and even more obsessive planner, I was intrigued by the idea.

Disney After Hours | Is It Worth It?

By Megan Renaud

In the last few years, Walt Disney World has begun offering a slew “hard ticketed” events. Guests can choose to add these their vacation, for a relatively substantial fee. As an avid Disney enthusiast and even more obsessive planner, I was intrigued by the idea. This past August, my husband and I decided to purchase tickets to the Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom for August 30th. According to the Walt Disney website, we were promised a “…unique 3 hour park experience – featuring more than 25 popular attractions and Character Greetings, with little-to-no wait!”. Sounds pretty amazing, right?

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The price was slightly less amazing. This “experience” is priced at $125 per person, regardless of age. With tax, this event cost us over $260 USD. As Canadians, it was hard to not cringe at the roughly 30% conversion fee on top of that but we were determined to make the best of this trip.

In the days leading up to the event, we also attended Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Which, to be honest, really disappointed us. The park was overly crowded and it was difficult to ride any rides or enjoy the entertainment that was part of the party. This definitely led us to feeling more and more nervous as we approached the Disney After Hours night.


We never waited more than 10 minutes for a ride and more often than not everything was walk on.

On our night, the Magic Kingdom was open to event guests from 9 pm until 12 pm, however, you are allowed to enter the park after 7:00 PM with your “ticket”. We arrived around 7:00 PM to a very busy Magic Kingdom. We decided to kill time until the event started by doing some less popular attractions that we had never done before (The Enchanted Tiki Room) and playing Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom (which we had never done before either). As we approached 9:00 PM, we decided to shuffle over to Tomorrowland so we could ride the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover while we waited out the firework crowds.

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Surprisingly, when we got off the TTA at 9:05 PM, Tomorrowland was more or less empty. The crowd levels stayed consistently low all night. We never waited more than 10 minutes for a ride and more often than not everything was walk on. We were able to ride almost every ride in the park (some multiple times) in the 3 hours. I say almost because the shows like Carousel of Progress aren’t running during the event. One of our favourite parts of the night was being able to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad four times in a row. All we had to do was loop back through the queue and we were back on again!

Part of the event pricing is “complimentary” popcorn, ice cream bars, water and bottles of pop from the popcorn carts. These were the largest lines of the night. People may be concerned with getting their money out of the “free” items, but to me the price was worth doing so many rides in such a short amount of time.


I was worried that I would spend the night counting down the 3 hours, or rushing to make sure we took advantage of our allotted time. In reality, I didn’t find that to be the case.


One downside of the night was that Space Mountain was down for the majority of the time, reopening around 11:00 PM. My husband hopped in line hoping for the 5 minute advertised wait. No such luck there! He was probably 20 minutes in line. While it was a bummer to sit outside waiting for him, I was alright with it considering everything we had already accomplished.

I was worried that I would spend the night counting down the 3 hours or rushing to make sure we took advantage of our allotted time. In reality, I didn’t find that to be the case. The time did go by quickly, but we enjoyed ourselves so much that it didn’t matter. After a disastrous Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, we were thrilled.

To answer whether or not this event is “worth it”, depends on your situation. A family of four is looking at spending upwards of $500 USD, which is a lot. This event can be used on a non-park day so if you think your family would enjoy it, consider buying less park tickets. This could save some money. It is a late night, and I didn’t see too many young children out so maybe that’s worth considering as well. I can say for us, it was definitely worth it!


Megan Renaud.JPG

Hi Everyone! My name is Megan Renaud and I’m a self-professed Disney addict. I’ve been going to Walt Disney World since 1992, and have totaled over 15 trips through the years. Part of the fun for me is planning and researching trips. I live in southwestern Ontario, Canada with my husband Marty and our cat Charlie, and rescue dogs Lucy and Abby. We’re always forward looking for the next adventure - or Disney trip! 

 

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Disney's FastPass+ | Everything You Need to Know!

Walt Disney World’s FastPass+ system is a great way to help maximize your time in the parks! This complimentary benefit...

Walt Disney World's FastPass+ System

Tips and Tricks to Help You Plan Your Magical Vacation!

By Tyler Braun

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror are great FastPass+ options!

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror are great FastPass+ options!

Last Updated - April 30, 2020

Walt Disney World’s FastPass+ system is a great way to help maximize your time in the parks! This complimentary benefit allows you to skip the standby line at over 60 Walt Disney World experiences! Using Disney’s FastPass+, you can make up to three FastPass+ selections per day, at a single park, for each day you have a ticket. 

FastPasses can be made starting 60 days prior to your arrival date (30 days if you’re staying off property*), starting at 7:00AM Eastern Time. Your first day is the best time to try and reserve those hard-to-get FastPasses for things like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Frozen Ever After, and the new Avatar rides!

Magic Kingdom has a straightforward selection system, where you can reserve three FastPasses at any of their attractions. Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom have a tiered system. They have a list from which you can pick one attraction (the top attractions in each park) and you can pick your other two FastPasses from a second list of less popular attractions.

Once you’re in the parks, you’ll then use your MagicBand to enter the FastPass+ line during your 1-hour arrival window.

Generally, I advise trying to reserve your FastPasses for the morning, as once you use your initial three FastPasses, you’ll be able to add more for later in the day! You can add more by using the My Disney Experience Mobile App or by visiting a FastPass+ Kiosk where a Cast Member can assist you in planning. 

Epcot | Walt Disney World

 

FastPass+ Options

As I mentioned above, Magic Kingdom has a straightforward FastPass+ selection system, and you can reserve three FastPasses at any of their attractions, based on availability. Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom all have a tiered selection system.  Below you will find all of the current attractions in Walt Disney World currently eligible for Disney FastPass+. For Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, I have broken down the attractions into Tier 1 and Tier 2. When selecting your FastPasses, you can pick one attraction from Tier 1, and you can pick two attractions from Tier 2.

 

Magic Kingdom Park

The Barnstormer 

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad 

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin 

Dumbo the Flying Elephant 

Enchanted Tales with Belle

Haunted Mansion 

“it’s a small world” 

Jungle Cruise 

Mad Tea Party 

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin 

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh 

Meet Ariel at Her Grotto 

Meet Cinderella and Elena at Princess Fairytale Hall 

Meet Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater 

Meet Rapunzel and Tiana at Princess Fairytale Hall 

Meet Tinker Bell at Town Square Theater 

Mickey’s PhilharMagic 

Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor 

Peter Pan’s Flight 

Pirates of the Caribbean 

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train 

Space Mountain 

Splash Mountain 

Tomorrowland Speedway 

Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid 

 

Epcot

Tier One (You may select 1 of the following)

Frozen Ever After 

Epcot Forever

Soarin’ Around the World

Test Track 

Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot 

 

Tier Two (You may select 2 of the following) 

Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival

Journey Into Imagination with Figment

Living with the Land

RELAUNCHED! Mission: Space

The Seas with Nemo & Friends

Turtle Talk with Crush

Spaceship Earth

 

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Tier One (You may select 1 of the following)

Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run

Slinky Dog Dash

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Tier Two (You may select 2 of the following)

Toy Story Mania! 

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 

Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith 

Alien Swirling Saucers

Disney Junior - Live on Stage! 

For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration 

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! 

Muppet*Vision 3D 

Star Tours - The Adventures Continue 

Voyage of the Little Mermaid 

Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage 

Fantasmic! 

(FastPass+ is not currently offered for Rise of the Resistance in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Rather, they have a Boarding Pass system - more on that below.)

 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Tier One (You may select 1 of the following)

Avatar Flight of Passage

Na’vi River Journey 

 

Tier Two (You may select 2 of the following)

Dinosaur 

Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain 

Festival of the Lion King 

Finding Nemo - The Musical 

It’s Tough to be a Bug! 

Kali River Rapids 

Kilimanjaro Safaris 

Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurers Outpost 

Primeval Whirl 

Rivers of Light 

 

All rides and FastPass+ selections are subject to availability. 

 

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a great use of a FastPass!

 

FastPass+ Suggestions

 

It’s all well and good to see all of the rides, attractions, and other experiences listed out, but what what should you select? Here are a few suggestions to get you thinking about what you may want to reserve! 

 

Magic Kingdom Park

 

In the Magic Kingdom, I definitely suggest trying to get FastPasses for Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train! It’s one of the newest rides in Walt Disney World and can be one of the hardest FastPasses to find. It’s a thrilling, yet amazingly smooth ride through a mine where a “million diamonds shine”! The three “Mountains of the Magic Kingdom” (Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, & Big Thunder Mountain) are also good rides to use a FastPass, as their lines tend to be pretty long all year. Both Peter Pan’s Flight, Haunted Mansion & the Pirates of the Caribbean are also known for having long wait times, so if those are “must-do” attractions for you, it may be worth considering using a FastPass for either of these. “it’s a small world” is, of course, a classic, and provided you don’t mind the incessant singing of children ringing in your ears for the rest of the day, this is a great attraction for the kid in all of us! 

 

Epcot

 

Epcot has three of my favorite rides in all of Walt Disney World! Soarin’ takes you on a journey across the world and gives you a bird’s eye view of some of the most iconic places on earth such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Taj Mahal in India, and the Great Pyramid in Egypt! Test Track takes you inside a computer simulator to test a concept car, and the brand new Frozen Ever After ride in the Norway Pavilion takes you to visit Anna and Else in Arendelle! All three of those rides top my “must-do” list! Another really cool attraction is Mission: Space! It takes you on a ride to Mars and you really feel like you’re blasting off into space! There are also other classic attractions, such as Spaceship Earth, located inside the “Epcot Ball” and Living with the Land!

 

Disney’s Hollywood Studios 

 

If you are into thrill rides, this is the place to be! The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster are two of the most intense and fun rides in all of Walt Disney World! If you’re fans of Star Wars, this is definitely the place to be! Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run let’s you and a small crew pilot, “The Fastest Ship in the Galaxy”, the Millennium Falcon! And yes - it really feels like you’re flying! Rise of the Resistance is a fantastic, innovative new style of ride that combines incredible storytelling with a fantastic and thrilling ride. Talk about immersion! Star Tours is a really cool motion simulator ride that makes you feel like you’re flying through space! Toy Story Mania is also tons of fun, and since it’s a game you can compare scores and see who’s the all-time winner! Slinky Dog Dash is a family-friendly roller coaster with lots of fun twists and turns. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a whirlwind of a ride that takes you into the cartoon world on a “leisurely” drive with Mickey & Minnie! One of my favorites is the Muppet*Vision 3D. It’s a little (ok a lot) silly, but it’s really funny and the technology is still cool! I would suggest not using a FastPass+ on Muppet*Vision 3D because there generally is not a long line. Finally, at the end of the day, Fantasmic! is the perfect way to end the day at Walt Disney World and my personal favorite nighttime show. A few suggestions - you shouldn’t need to use a FastPass if you get to the line early enough. I would suggest going to the later show if everyone has enough steam left, because it tends to be less crowded. Finally, try and sit as close to the middle as possible, but not in the first 10 or so rows, because you’ll get wet from the water screens! 

Rise of the Resistance Boarding Pass System

Rise of the Resistance is amazing and definitely worth the hype! However, instead using the FastPass+ system, it is on a Boarding Pass System. As soon as the park opens, you’ll need the be on your phone getting a Boarding Group for later in the day. Once you have your Boarding Group number you can go about your day. You can use other FastPasses, hop in a standby line, shop, or simply hang around Hollywood Studios. If your Boarding Group is a higher number you can also leave the park and come back later in the day. Throughout the day you can watch the Boarding Group numbers on the app. Once your number is called you will have a 2 hour window to ride. This system has its benefits and its drawbacks. I suggest you get to Hollywood Studios AT LEAST 30 minutes prior to opening so you can ensure you are past security and the MagicBand scanning area and in the park. One benefit of this system is that you can get a Boarding Group for Rise of the Resistance and still use your three other FastPasses for other rides - so essentially you’re getting four FastPasses at Hollywood Studios. 

For a video of how this system played out when I rode it, click here.

 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

 

Both Expedition Everest and DINOSAUR hold the top spot for my heart in Animal Kingdom. They’re both thrilling, but in very different ways. Expedition Everest is a high-speed roller coaster that takes you into the Legend of the Forbidden Mountain where the Yeti lurks! DINOSAUR takes you back in time to save an iguanodon right at the brink of extinction. I hope you make is back in time! Kilimanjaro Safaris is a neat way to see some wild African animals up close! It’s Tough to be a Bug is a show that takes place inside the Tree of Life! It’s a 3D show that has laughs for everyone. One of my favorites in Animal Kingdom is Primeval Whirl! It’s not often talked about, and it’s one of my favorite hidden gems in Animal Kingdom! The lines tend not to be very long, and it looks like a “kiddie” ride, but it’s really a blast! The cool thing about Animal Kingdom is there are lots of trails and hidden walkways with animals all around. There are the Discovery Island Trails, Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, Maharajah Jungle Trek and more that are really cool ways to see the animals. Finding Nemo the Musical and Festival of the Lion King are also both great shows. The new world of Pandora also has two rides with FastPass+ capability. The first is Avatar Flight of Passage, on which you soar on the back of a mountain banshee during a thrilling ride over Pandora! The second is the Na’vi River Journey, where you venture deep into a bioluminescent rainforest in search of the Na’vi Shaman of Songs. These are on a tiered system from which you can only pick one for the FastPass+ system.

How to Make FastPass+ Reservations 

Here are some step-by-step instructions on how to make a FastPass+ reservation online! 

  1. After logging into your My Disney Experience account on a computer, select “MyDisneyExperience” from the home page in the top right corner. Once you log in, you may already be on that page. At the top it will say “Your Name’s Plans and Tickets”, that’s how you know you’re on the right page. A little ways down the page, you’ll see five circles that say, “Friends and Family, Resort Hotel, Park Tickets, Dining and FastPass+”. Hover over the circle where it says “FastPass+” and click “Make a Selection”.

  2. On the next page it gives you a bit of info about FastPass+. Click “Get Started”.

  3. Next, select your FastPass+ group members. You can use the “select all” button to easily choose everyone. Click “next”.

  4. Select the date you wish to make FastPasses for, and select the park you wish to visit that day. All three of your initial FastPasses will have to be at that park, even if you have Park Hopper tickets. Click “next” after you make your selection.

  5. You’ll then see all the available FastPasses and times listed out. At the top of that screen you can narrow things down by selecting a general time (morning, evening, etc) or a specific hour. You can also select a specific ride and see all the available times for the day. Once you select a FastPass+ and a time, you’ll confirm all the details on the next screen. Once you reserve your FastPass+, you’ll see the options to “Continue on Same Day”, or “Select Different Day”. After you make all your FastPasses, you can go back to your My Disney Experience homepage (where it says “Your Name’s Plans and Tickets”, and you’ll then see all your FastPasses listed there!


You can also make FastPasses on the My Disney Experience app if you prefer. It’s all the same steps, but just via the app. Disney has set it up so it walks you through step by step what to do, so it’s really pretty easy!

 

Additional FastPasses

A lot of people have asked me about acquiring additional FastPasses. Currently there is actually no way to buy any more than the three you have per day. Once you redeem your initial set of FastPass+ selections (or the last arrival window has passed), you can make another FastPass+ selection for the same day at an in-park kiosk or using your mobile device, up to park closing. After you redeem your additional FastPass+ pick, you can make more selections, one at a time. If your ticket includes the Park Hopper Option, after you use your initial FastPass+ selections at the first park, you’ll be able to make additional FastPass+ selections (one at a time) at a kiosk or using the mobile app at the second park you visit that day, up to park closing. 

 

So there you have it! A brief overview of Walt Disney World's FastPass+ system! What tips and tricks do you have for using Disney’s FastPass+ system? Comment below!

 

 

Are you wanting to head out on a Walt Disney World vacation, but you don’t know where to start? Contact me to find out how I can personally assist you in planning your own magical adventure! Follow the link below to fill out a no-obligation quote form for People Mover Travel! When you book through me, you get an expert Disney planner that can book your resort, park tickets, transportation, and even all your dining & FastPass+ reservations. The best part, I work for you for free! 

Walt Disney World Quote: https://www.peoplemovertravel.com/walt-disney-world-quote

 

*There are a select few Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotels that also offer the 60 day FastPass+ booking window.

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