Walt Disney World Trip Planning

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.

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!

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!!

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!

New Festival at EPCOT, With Food?

January 13 through February 30, 2017 brings a new festival to EPCOT that is sure to bring fun, frolic, and yes FOOD for guests to enjoy!

epcot-fest-of-arts

At the EPCOT International Festival Of The Arts, you will find Fun in the form of the artists, or their works that are scheduled to attend. From the works of Mary Blair and Herb Ryman to current Disney artists. You can just have a look around or watch some creative juices flow live during the Festival!

Frolic might be had by attending concerts from some of Disney’s best Broadway stars from Aladdin, The Lion King, and Newsies(my personal favorite). These concerts will be presented on the weekends of the festival and will take place on the America Gardens Theater stage. Show times are 5:30pm, 6:45pm, and 8:00pm.

2017 Appearance Schedule

January 13-16 and 20-23
Ashley Brown & Josh Strickland perform songs from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, Mary Poppins, Tarzan and The Little Mermaid.

January 27-30 and February 3-6
Kerry Butler & Kevin Massey perform songs from Disney’s Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Newsies and Tarzan.

February 10-13 and 17-20
Kissy Simmons & Alton Fitzgerald White perform songs from Disney’s Aida, Aladdin, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid.

As for Food, there will be Food Studios place around the World Showcase Promenade where you can try a vast array of foods. This is similar to, but completely different, compared to Food And Wine. To learn more about the offerings go to The Disney Food Blog page for information!

This sounds like a lot of fun!! Enjoy and remember…

Let’s Keep The Magic Alive!

Worth The Change At WDW!

Walt Disney World is testing a new dining option at Magic Kingdom Park®. Beginning on January 12 and running through February 22, several of the Quick Service venues will begin participating in Disney Dine-on-the-Go! The menu includes one Lunch Quick Service entree and one non-alcoholic beverage until 4pm and one Dinner Quick Service entree and non-alcoholic beverage good after 4pm. Desserts will be an out-of-pocket expense, if you desire.

CHH

The participating Quick Service venues are:

Casey’s Corner
Colombia Harbour House
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
Pinocchio Village Haus

Valid Park Admission Required!

The cost is $29 for adults and $12 for kids 3 – 9 and can be purchased at Magic Kingdom Park Vacation Planning booth. Is it worth it? You tell me!!

Let’s Keep The Magic Alive!

Drinking Around The Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World has announced that there will be four additional restaurants that will have beer and wine available inside The Magic Kingdom! The restaurants adding the booze are: Tony’s Town Square, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Liberty Tree Tavern, and Skipper Canteen.

I’m not sure how I feel about this! But, I knew that once it was introduced at Be Our Guest, it was only a matter of time before the ability to consume alcohol came to other venues within Magic Kingdom Park! And, while I am hoping that most will only consume a little to go with their meal, there is that possibility that a few may overindulge.

Personally, I am not a big drinker! Maybe one or two a year. So, at this point, I am taking a wait and see attitude about all of this. I am sure it will generate a bit of revenue! I am thinking it may bolster the guest experience at Tony’s Town Square. And, I am sure that the prices will live up to WDW standards!

But, how popular will it really be? Does the addition of alcohol at Magic Kingdom take something out of the feel of the park? One can’t help but wonder!

Thank you for reading, my friends!

Let’s Keep The Magic Alive!!

Change For WDW

You know how you keep putting your loose change in that jar to help save for your trip to Walt Disney World? Well, start saving more! It looks like the new theme is make money however we can, as WDW begins charging for things that were previously complimentary.

A $15 a day resort fee is being considered to help ‘defray’ the cost of using the pools, Magical Express, and other amenities. So, the question I have is: Is it better to just increase the resort cost to cover these expenses, OR do we prefer the resort fee structure? I’m not sold either way, at this time.

It looks like there may be a Preferred Parking structure at the parks beginning with The Magic Kingdom. I have heard the initial cost will start at and additional $10. I prefer using Disney Transport for this particular park. Now, as it may move to the other parks, I guess it depends on how far from the entrance, and how frequent the trams are running.

The next thing we know, there will be a cost to FastPass Plus, meals won’t include soft drinks, or even the use of Disney Transport may cost an extra fee to use!

Let me be clear! I LOVE WALT DISNEY WORLD! But, I am having to continually put off the next trip as I try to save all the money I will need to go! I am hoping that the ladies and gentlemen making these decisions will consider how this might impact the overall Guest Experience.

Thanks for reading! Please let me know your thoughts, as well! Have a Blessed and Magical day!

Up, Up, And Away at WDW

Well, here we go again! Walt Disney World has raised the prices for tickets in what seems to be an almost semi-annual event. And, while there are price changes to ALL levels of admission, the biggest is by far the introduction of Tiered Ticket Prices for the One-Day Magic Your Way ticket. That means that your One-Day admission can vary depending on the time of year, or even the day of any given week!

I can’t say for sure, but this may be where some potential visitors begin to question whether it’s a good idea to visit WDW or not. But, maybe that’s the goal? I’m sure that one of the primary goals is to drive folks to the Multi-Day tickets. All of which have a 14-day limit after first use. And, rumor has it that there may soon be a limit on how long you can hold onto an unused ticket. So, if you are pre-purchasing tickets for a future visit, you may want to check for an expiration date for usage.

Will these changes keep hardcore fans from visiting? I seriously doubt it! But, for those who may be marginal about making the trip, it may be enough to send them to other destination. How about you?

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

New Deal for WDW…or Is It?

A new “Special Offer” was launched this week for Summer 2016 travel to Walt Disney World. It is the Catch A Tasty Offer package! Let’s take a look at the details, shall we?

Toluca Turkey — Toluca Legs Turkey Company Sunset Blvd. Disney’s Hollywood Studio

This offer is good, most nights, for packages booked between May 29 and June 30, 2016, and July 5 through August 13, 2016. You must book your package by February 29, 2016 to qualify. And, there is a minimum 3-night stay with the purchase of a 2-day Magic Your Way base ticket. What do you get? By booking as described, you will get One (1) Quick-Service Meal per person, per night that can be redeemed at most of the Quick-Service Restaurants throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. Keep in mind that Disney’s Fort Wilderness campsites and Disney’s Art of Animation Little Mermaid rooms are NOT INCLUDED in this offer.

What do you think? Is this a good offer that would entice you to consider a summer vacation? Please don’t get me wrong, I think that many of the Quick-Service offerings around WDW are excellent! And, you can eat quite well, if there is something that tickles your tongue! But, is one meal a day worth the money? Is it worth the crowds?

I think this may be a test to see how little Disney can get away with when offering incentives to visit the resort. We have seen reduced offerings of Free Dining over the past few years. Could it be that Disney is wanting to see if we, the guest, can survive on one meal per person, per night? Only time will tell!

Contact Disney Travel or your favorite Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, whoever that may be, for more details and booking!

Until next time, my friends, have a Blessed and Magical Day!