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11/6/2020 • Blog, Disneyland, Walt Disney World •
Oh 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways… Let me start by saying this is/was my absolute favorite attraction ever at Walt Disney World. It’s older sister, Submarine Voyage at Disneyland, is right up there with it...but 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was just *chef’s kiss* the complete embodiment of wonder, suspense, and magic. Based on the 1872 novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea , by Jules Verne, and the 1954 Disney movie 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea starring Kirk Douglas and James Mason - this attraction took much of what made Submarine Voyage great, and turned it into something even more spectacular. On opening day of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea could be found nestled back in Fantasyland, within a huge lagoon that spanned from Pinocchio’s Village Haus to the Grand […]
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11/3/2020 • Blog, Walt Disney World •
If you grew up in the ’70s, have you ever taken a visit to the Sunshine Tree Terrace, or have ever walked around in Adventureland? Chances are, you may have noticed the Florida Orange Bird a time or two. But do you really know the story about the Orange Bird? A Little Backstory… In 1941, the first partnership between the Walt Disney Company and Florida’s Natural growers evolved. The first deal featured Walt Disney World’s very own Donald Duck selling their Orange Juice. Then as some time went on, The Orange Bird was born. The Orange Bird is a small bird that looks like an orange for the head, has a body of a bird, and wings made out of leaves. Do you remember him yet? Nearly 3 Decades later… In 1969, a deal was made and the Florida Citrus Commission sponsorship was in full swing for the Sunshine Pavilion. […]
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10/27/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World •
The newest Walt Disney World ride, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, is not one to miss! This new family-friendly attraction offers a state-of-the-art ride vehicle with visual effects technology. This ride can be found in the previously occupied Chinese Theatre at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The glowing sign offers an exciting entrance to an attraction unlike any other at Walt Disney World. I had the opportunity to enjoy this attraction in March and again since the phased re-opening. The first thing I noticed was the similarities to the Great Movie Ride. When you first enter the queue and step into the building, it was reminiscent of the previous attraction. As you moved through the queue, a noticeable difference would be the newly added movie screens that feature the animated Mickey shorts. Prior to the closing of Disney Park’s in March, the experience in the waiting queue was different. The animated short, […]
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10/23/2020 • Blog, Tips, Walt Disney World •
When it comes to transportation at Disney, you may envision a flying carpet, pumpkin carriage, or a sprinkle of pixie dust with happy thoughts. The Disney Resort is quite large at 39 square miles so when it comes to transporting the thousands of guests that visit daily, Disney has many options. Making sure you know the basics of their transportation options are very important. Walt Disney World provides on-site transportation to their guests via: *Magical Express *Bus *Monorail *Ferry, water taxi, or boat *Disney’s Skyliner *Magical Express Walt Disney World Resort guests who will be flying into Orlando International Airport (MCO) will enter the magic of Disney soon after exiting their flight. They will go to the main terminal and head down to Level 1, Side B, and prepare to board the “Disney’s Magical Express”. Disney’s Magical Express will transport guests to their resort from the airport and back again […]
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10/13/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World •
Disney’s Beach Club Resort it truly one of my favorite resorts on property! From its incredible location just steps away from Epcot, to its pool and dining options, there are so many reasons to stay at Beach Club on your next Disney vacation. This resort looks like it’s right out of the pages of a New England architectural journal. Painted in pastel blue and white hues with lighthouse-style architectural features, this resort is appealing from the moment you pull up to its drive. Upon entering, the lobby includes seaside and nautical touches. Dining: Just off the lobby, you’ll notice several of the resort’s table service restaurants. Here you can dine at Ale and Compass, a New England steakhouse, Cape May Cafe, a character breakfast and seafood buffet lunch and dinner, and Beaches and Cream- a seaside-style soda shop with a variety of boardwalk foods. You can also relax and take […]
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10/9/2020 • Blog, Reviews, Walt Disney World •
In my 8 years of planning Disney vacations, one of the most common questions I get is, “What is your favorite resort on Disney property?” I don’t even hesitate with my answer, "Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort." “The Poly”, as it is often referred to as, is one of the three deluxe resorts on the monorail loop. The Polynesian is one of the original resorts that opened along with Walt Disney World on October 1, 1971. The theme of this resort is a Pacific Island paradise. Upon arrival, you will notice lush greenery and colorful flowers that leave you feeling like you have just been planted into the tropics. With a short walk through the beautiful greenery, you enter The Great Ceremonial House which is the lobby of the resort where you will be welcomed with a warm Aloha. Dining at the Polynesian resort is a must-do in my opinion even […]
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10/6/2020 • Blog, Disneyland, Reviews, Walt Disney World •
One of my family's favorite attractions in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World is The Haunted Mansion. Set in a Louisiana plantation mansion, the attraction is home to 999 happy haunts. I love the queue, where you'll find a horseless drawn hearse, tombstones, and other interactive haunted objects to make your wait a little more fun. Upon entering the mansion you will be escorted into a room with no windows and no doors. Watch the walls and ceiling as the room seems to grow before your very eyes. As lightning strikes, you will follow the passageway to your "Doom Buggy". This slow-moving ride takes you through the most haunted rooms of the mansion, where you will learn some interesting facts about the mansion's most popular and permanent residents. As you twist and turn down the halls you will see spooky paintings, statues, books, and more. On your way, you will […]
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10/2/2020 • Blog, Walt Disney World •
Walt Disney World parks closed March 15 and began a phased re-opening on July 11, 2020. After careful consideration, we decided to visit. We have been Annual Passholders for the better part of 2 decades and moved to Florida a little over three years ago. Visits to Walt Disney World has been a constant part of our lives. We reviewed ‘Know Before You Go’ leading up to our visit to make an informed decision. With the current reduced park capacity and the extensive safety measures that Disney has implemented, we made the decision to give it a try. We visited 3 of the 4 Walt Disney World Parks and Disney Springs during our stay. While our decision to visit may not be right for everyone, we made the decision that was right for my family. My oldest son has Fragile X Syndrome, the leading inherited genetic cause of intellectual impairment. […]
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9/29/2020 • Blog, Tips, Walt Disney World •
If you are looking for a home away from home while visiting Walt Disney World, staying in a villa may be the right fit for you. All villas are located in Deluxe Level resorts and provide a variety of options that give you the comfort of homes including kitchens, which sets them apart from a typical resort room at Disney. The added square footage in the 1 + bedrooms also allows for a more relaxing feel and gives everyone more space, which is great on non-park days when you want to spend time at the resort and relax. The 1 + bedrooms also come with a washer/dryer, which is a great benefit, especially for longer stays. You can have grocery delivery to your resort, therefore, having the kitchen is a great option for in-room dining. Studios – sleeps up to 5 * 1 queen-size bed, 1 queen/double sleeper sofa, most […]
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9/25/2020 • Blog, Tips, Walt Disney World •
If you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation during COVID-19, I’m sure the thought has crossed your mind, "How will I be able to handle wearing a mask all day in the Florida heat?" Well, as usual, Disney has thought of everything. Each Walt Disney World theme park has introduced new Relaxation Stations, designated areas where visitors can remove their masks in a safe and socially distanced environment. How does this work? Much like dining at a restaurant, visitors are required to wear masks until seated or standing at their designated place within the mask free zone. Only once in their designated space may guests remove their face coverings and take a breather. Upon leaving the Relaxation Station, guests are required to replace their masks. Luckily, many mask free zones are available to guests in each park, so no matter where you are, you will have one nearby! Magic Kingdom […]
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