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Tour 75: Eating Series Part 1: Magic Kingdom

You’re walking around Magic Kingdom, and you suddenly, or maybe not so suddenly, realize that you need to grab a bite to eat or you’ll probably die! At least that’s how the teen in your life might describe it, right?

Your tour guides this week take you on a journey to discover what some of our favorite places are to satisfy the need to feed your hunger when visiting Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. We may also give a few ideas on places to avoid!

Some of our choices may be a bit surprising!

We are so glad you are joining us on Tour 75 of Disney Conversations and hope you will share us with your friends as we continue to help you learn about all things Disney!

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Now here’s this week’s tour! Enjoy!

Planning a visit to Walt Disney World? Contact me directly to help with all of your Disney Destination needs at magical_matthew@outlook.com for a free, no obligation quote today! I will respond to you by the end of the day.

Out of the Loop

Good day, friends!

I know that I have been out of the loop for quite some time, now! But, my passion for all things Disney hasn’t gone away. I suppose I was trying to get away for a bit, because the people around me are tired of me talking about Disney this and Disney that. But, the truth is that, with the exception of my faith in God and the power of Jesus, Disney is what I know and love here on Earth!

To that end, I am just letting you know that I will be aiming to Blog Weekly! I will be covering important Disney News, giving my thoughts on what is happening in the parks, at the movies, and what’s coming up on TV (mainly Disney+). I am not a professional, but I am a lover of the Disney bubble!

As you may have heard, there will be some gradual reopening at Disney Springs. There are guidelines for visiting, but it’s a start! Here’s hoping that the parks and resorts will begin coming back to life sooner, rather than later!

There are rumblings of timelines for the parks at WDW and Disneyland to begin reopening, but nothing certain, at this time! However, construction at Disneyland has been allowed to resume on current projects. Maybe there won’t be a huge delay?

Finally, I would suspect that we will see some discounts and enticements from Disney to get people to return to the parks. What they will be and how they will work is anyone’s guess at this point in time. I also believe that 2021 package information may be delayed slightly, but should be along soon!

Until next time, keep your Dreams alive and a bit of Magic in your heart!

Benefits Staying At Disney Springs Resorts

DSRA Walt Disney World recently announced a new set of benefits for staying at the Disney Springs Resort Hotel Area (with the designation of being official Walt Disney World resorts). I couldn’t help but notice that this seems to have floated under the radar. Maybe it isn’t too important to some, but I can see where it could have an impact. So, what are the new benefits?

Basically, the Disney Springs resorts are now offering the same benefits as if you were staying at a Disney-Owned on property resort. From a personal standpoint, this seems like a good thing! My first trip to WDW in 1982, I stayed in the then Hotel Royal Plaza (now the B Resort). Transportation was provided by Disney with Regular service to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Transportation to all Disney Parks is now offered at 30 minute intervals. And I believe these shuttles are operated by a third party provider.

Beginning on January 1, 2018, all Disney Springs Resorts will be able to make FastPass+ reservations 60 days out! Your resort reservation will be linked to you My Disney Experience account, and visible through the App! You will also be able to take advantage of Disney’s Magical Express and have the ability to purchase Disney Dining Packages as a part of your vacation experience!

The resorts included in these packages are:

B Resort & Spa; Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort; DoubleTree Guest Suites by Hilton Orlando; Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Palace; Hilton Orlando Resort Lake Buena Vista; Holiday Inn Orlando; Wyndham Lake Buena Vista; and Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista.

Something to look at when planning your next visit!

Thanks for reading! Have a Blessed and Magical Day, my friends!

Keeping the Magic Alive…threestrandswdw!

Disney Dates Announced

Well…surprise, surprise! We have some date that people have been waiting for, in some cases, years to hear!

Rivers Of Light

First, the Rivers Of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will begin floating past the crowd on February 17, 2017! This nighttime experience has had a few setbacks along the way, but I have faith that WDI has solved the mysteries that have eluded them and will bring a spectacular show! Related to this event, Disney has also announced that there will be dinner packages available to get preferred seating for Rivers Of Light. Eligible restaurants include Tusker House, where you can choose to eat Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner for $37 for adults and $23 ages 3 – 9, tax and gratuity not included. And Tiffin’s, where you get appetizer, entree, dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage at a cost of $67 per adult and 32 for ages 3 – 9, with tax and gratuity not included.

Happily Ever After

Next, say goodbye to Wishes! Beginning on May 12 a new fireworks spectacular will be taking place in the Magic Kingdom! This new show will include music and clips from some of Disney’s newer films. Look for Zootopia, Moana, Brave, Big Hero 6, and many others! The Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party will continue to be offered and will offer some of the better views of the new fireworks! Take a look at the video that Disney released! This is going to excite you!!

Thanks for reading, my friends!

Keeping the Magic Alive!!

magical_matthew

IT’S A DATE at WDW

Well, we finally have some dates for the openings that we have all been waiting for!

Thanks to CEO Bob Iger, we now know that Pandora-The World of Avatar is set to open to the public on May 27, 2017 in Disney’s Animal Kingdom! That’s Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial beginning of summer, for those of us in the U.S. I think that the new attractions and adventures will bring a new life into DAK, and awaken the nighttime activity. In Pandora, guests will be able to get their eating, drinking and shopping on in the new outlets within this land.

Also announced, was the ‘opening’ of Star Wars at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as well as, Disneyland California. However, in the usual cryptic style, a SPECIFIC date was left out of the announcement. At this point, we have been told that the new land will open sometime in 2019. If I had to venture a guess, I’d say probably around Memorial Day of 2019. also!

There was no mention of the progress or an opening for Toy Story at DHS.

Thanks for reading…

Keeping the Magic Alive!!

WDW Fave GONE!

As of today, one of my favorite places to hit is closed! I can’t believe it! I am hoping, beyond hope, that it may return after all of the construction in some form or another! Oh, what am I writing about? The famed Disney’s Hollywood Studio quick service goodie shop, Starring Rolls, has closed it’s doors!

I don’t know about any of you, but I loved this place! They had good sized sandwiches, tasty treats of all kinds, and specialties only found at this spot in all of WDW! Can you say, Butterfinger Cupcake?

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With all it had to offer and a nice outdoor sitting area with a view of folks headed down Sunset Blvd. toward Rock N Rollercoaster or Tower of Terror, this will be a strongly missed venue!

A moment of silence, please?

Thanks for reading and remember…

Let’s Keep The Magic Alive!!

Weekly WDW #2

Greetings my friends! I hope this day finds you filled with Disney Magic!

Moonlight Magic After Hours events have been announced for 2017.

As a part of your DVC Membership, Disney will be hosting several After Hours events in every park throughout The Vacation Kingdom! You evenings will begin at 7pm. The park schedule is: <!– –>

Magic Kingdom – February 24 and March 3
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park – June 22, 28, July 5, 13
Disney’s Animal Kingdom – September 6, 13
Disneyland Park – November 15
Epcot – December 4, 11

Sounds like fun!!

After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park

If you are not a DVC member, fear not, you are not totally forgotten! There are some Disney After Hours events at Magic Kingdom Park scheduled over the next few months. Dates for this event are January 20, 27, February 2, 9, 16, and March 2, 9. The benefits of this package include: Little to no wait times for popular attractions, 7PM entry for the ability to see “Wishes!”, and Snacks like ice cream, popcorn, and select beverages are included!

Watch this video from Disney Parks Blog to see what it’s like!

The cost of this event is $119 plus tax for ALL in attendance!

Paint The Night

I don’t normally dabble in rumor, but this one I hope is true! It is rumored that the Paint The Night parade may find it’s way to Magic Kingdom Park for the Summer of 2017. According to WDW News Today with the lighter than expected attendance of 2016 and the fact that, Pandora, The World Of Avatar is the only ‘new’ opening this year at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, it may be the best choice to bring this wonderful parade to help draw guests to WDW.

I hope I get to see it, if it comes to the park!

Thanks for reading and remember…

Let’s Keep The Magic Alive!!

Station Break at WDW

We all know the excitement we have when we are walking up to the entrance of Main Street U.S.A.! The anticipation of what lies on the other side intensifies as we make the approach and, if you are like me, the weight of the world outside begins to leave! Well, be prepared for a shock!

tarped-station As a part of the refurbishment of the Walt Disney Railroad scheduled through March 2, 2017, it appears that the Main Street U.S.A. station is under wraps! A tarp has been stretched to cover the entire station area and the walk up has a bit of a different look to it.

One can only imagine that there is a fresh paint job, cleaning of ornamental aspects, and maybe a few little additions to enhance what we will see soon!

Thanks for reading!!

Keep The Magic Alive!!

Weekly WDW Wind Up #1

Magic Kingdom Park will say good-bye to the Kingdom Cabanas beginning on February 17, 2017! It would appear that there was little interest in making use of this ‘perk’ even at a discounted price!
Miss Adventure Falls will debut at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon in the Spring of 2017. Climb aboard a 4 person raft for a quick paced adventure. All aboard!!
The 1st Annual EPCOT International Festival Of The Arts began this weekend offering interactive workshops, Broadway music, and Food! There are limited Dining experiences available. Call 407-WDW-DINE for information and reservations!
Walt Disney’s Carousel Of Progress has been lit up for Disney After Dark! With the new color scheme and recent exterior updates, it’s a beautiful piece of art in Tomorrowland!!

Thanks for reading, my friends!!

Let’s Keep The Magic Alive!

Security Change for Magic Kingdom

A new security checkpoint has been established at the walkway leading from Disney’s Contemporary Resort to Magic Kingdom Park. A single access point is located as you exit the walkway. This should make clearing security a bit easier for some headed into the Magic Kingdom.

I can’t help but wonder how the rest of the secured area may change now that the Welcome Show is now located inside the park at Cinderella’s Castle. Could it be that each entry point will have it’s own set of security checkpoints? Would that lighten up the congestion?

What about the other parks?

Security is certainly at the forefront of everyone’s minds these days. And, personally, I have no problems with additional checkpoints. Anything that allows the flow to keep moving without compromising on security is okay by me!

Thanks for reading and Let’s Keep The Magic Alive!