A Theme Park Picnic

Posted on June 17, 2012 by Mouse Host

When I lived in St. Louis, the few times I did go to Six Flags we often ate a huge breakfast and packed a lunch so we could have a parking lot picnic midday in order to save money.  Sure it took a little more time out of our day than it would have to eat in the park but I was all for saving money and I didn’t feel like we were missing out on anything by not eating in one of their restaurants.

Many people use this same strategy when they visit Walt Disney World.  I do understand when you have a family a WDW vacation can get expensive so I will not knock this practice.  If eating peanut-butter and jelly every day for every meal for a week allowed room in my budget for another pilgrimage to the World then all I have to say is…”It’s peanut-butter jelly time!”

There is good news for the theme park picnickers!  You do not have to make the journey all the way back to your car or resort to have your picnic at Walt Disney World!  Unlike Six Flags, Walt Disney World allows guests to bring outside food into the parks.  The downside of course is you have to lug your lunch around or store it in a locker but it may be well worth it to those trying to save money and time!  Of course I am all for experiencing the restaurants WDW has to offer but picnicking in the parks can create a very unique experience and memory for a family as there are many locations that are perfect for the in-park-picnic.

There is a vast array of locations that would make for a great picnic area whether you are interested in people watching or want to get away to little more secluded, quiet location.  Probably one of the best locations for a picnic can be found on Tom Sawyers Island.  Read more about this ideal picnic location in my previous post: Tom Sawyer’s Island.  From what I hear about the new Fantasyland expansion, there may be some potential for great new picnic opportunities in the Fantasyland Forest.  There are many other great locations in the Magic Kingdom as well as the other parks.  I could go on and on and perhaps after a little more scouting on my upcoming trips I may dedicate an entire article to picnic spots but for now let us continue.  I would love to hear from you if you have other suggestions for picnic locations.

Of course there are a few restrictions as to what can be brought into the park.  You cannot bring food requiring heating, large or hard-sided coolers, glass bottles, alcohol, and no straws of any kind in the Animal Kingdom.  Everything else is pretty much fair game so pack away!

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE to save money.  I like to think of myself as pretty thrifty.  I don’t always need the newest, best, or name brand items.  I do hours upon hours of research before making any sort of large purchase.  I do relate to those who penny-pinch.  However (you knew it was coming), you know that I also LOVE my Walt Disney World so I will very briefly make a suggestion.  Even if you think you cannot afford to eat in the parks and are going bring your own food, plan to eat in the parks at least once during your trip.  If you can manage, plan to do just one table-service restaurant and if you can’t swing that go for one of the counter-service restaurants or even grab a few snacks.  Food at Walt Disney World is part of the experience.  You can find some of the best quality food you could ever experience on Disney property.  The food quality along with the theme and ambiance of the restaurants will no doubt provide you with the most unique dining experiences whether it is a table-service or counter-service so make it a point to experience this side of Walt Disney World.

I think many would be surprised at how cheap you can eat in the parks.  There are numerous resources out there where you can check out menus, prices and portions sizes for each restaurant.  I plan to eventually provide you with reviews for many restaurants within WDW to help you decide where you might want to dine as well as more tips on how to save money and still experience the magic.  A little research can go a long way to help you experience more of what Walt Disney World has to offer!

Here are a few links to check out menus:

Official Walt Disney World website

AllEars.net

WDWinfo

Posted in Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, Food, Magic Kingdom, Trip Planning | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Magically Transported to…

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Mouse Host

After nearly escaping the nasty grips of the pillaging, plundering, hijacking pirates of the Caribbean you would think I would have learned my lesson but no.  I had to go and climb onto another boat that took me into the depths of the dangerous jungle.  After safely arriving back at the dock I began to wonder if I should have ever ventured from the safety of my tree house.  Before I would dare allow myself to be whisked away by some magic carpet I had to take a bathroom break.  I walked across the plaza, open the door and I was suddenly (magically?) transported!  Where to you might ask….a restroom of the twenty-first century….allusion ruined!

Of course I am making a bigger deal out of this to make things interesting.  I know you were captivated.  Restrooms on WDW property being plain ol’ restrooms doesn’t really bother me.  I am just curious as to why.  Disney goes through such lengths to maintain a theme or story so why leave the restrooms out.  It wouldn’t be difficult at all.  I mean even even some chain restaurants theme their restrooms.  Plus we are talking about Imagineers here…they can do anything!

Liberty Square in Magic Kingdom has the best themed restroom that I can think of in the parks.  You would not find restrooms during the time that Liberty Square is themed after therefore you will not find restrooms within the confines of Liberty Square.  Although you can find a restroom in the Harbour House which is located in Liberty Square.  If you notice where the restroom is actually located within the Harbour House it would actually put you in Fantasyland rather than Liberty Square.

There are many possibilities to bring some life to these drab rooms.  Maybe posters of attractions in that particular land or advertisements for near by restaurants.  I think it would even be cool to have old photos of the parks throughout the years.

Would love to hear your opinion on the subject and any ideas of what they could do to add some flare to these neglected areas of Walt Disney World.

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Book with Magical Vacations by Me at (314)494-9166 or joey@magicalvacationsbyme.com and be entered for a chance to win a $500 Disney gift card!!! See details here.

 

Posted in Magic Kingdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A Reader’s Response

Posted on May 27, 2012 by Mouse Host

I have family visiting this weekend so I wasn’t sure I would have time to write a post this week but read a response to my last post and the reader joked about the response being so long it could be a post.  I am going to cheat and use the response as a post this week not because it is so long but because the response was so good I thought I would just make a post out of it!

Post from Kb

[I got a little long-winded and by the time I was done, I’d written an entire article myself. Woops! Oh, well. I can’t help but share anyway.]

What a great quote from Walt. I wish we could have spent more time at “One Man’s Dream” in the Studios. I definitely want to make time for that next time.

I am constantly in conflict with myself because I treasure the Disney I remember as a kid. But I know Walt would not approve of everything staying the same. I look back and I see some attractions that I would have revamped or reworked instead of dismantling, and I see some I would have put on the chopping block before others, but as a whole I love the fact that Disney is always moving forward, always changing. It gives you an “excuse” to go back again and again.

Captain Jack Sparrow

For example, I miss Horizons and wish it could have been preserved and just updated, but Mission Space seems like such a cool thing to take its place. The same can be said of Test Track. I believe it was a nice substitute for World of Motion.

I love how they have been able to add to some of the classics and keep them fresh, like adding Jack Sparrow to Pirates and updates to the Haunted Mansion. Also, thanks to the Imagineers, we are able to enjoy Dumbo in a whole new way. Now it has twice as many Dumbos and a water feature with a much more comfortable queue. This will allow us all to enjoy this attraction in a fresh, new way (with a shorter wait).

The Magic Memories and You

While I tend to miss things when they’re gone, there are “newer” additions, that I can’t imagine not having. Some of my favorite additions (since my childhood in the late 80s to early 90s) are:
-The Magic, the Memories and You (Projection show on the castle)
-Toy Story Mania
-Lights, Motors, Action
-The Seas with Nemo and Friends

Lights Motors Action

To get back to the initial point of “Plussing Your Vacation” I completely agree. Do your research. There’s so much to see in each park and there’s so much detail that some really cool things in the parks are overlooked by 99% of visitors. I say, do your research ahead of time, but don’t micro-plan your day. Know what you want to try to see and do, but be flexible about how and when to do it. While there has been a lot of time and money spent tracking and predicting crowds at Disney, you really never know exactly what it will be like when you get to the park that day, so be flexible. And try not to rush. Don’t stress yourself out. If you have trouble making a FASTPASS time, don’t let it ruin the rest of your day. There’s so much to see and do. Better to miss out on a classic attraction and have a nice, enjoyable day in the parks, than to run around in a frenzy trying to make sure you “do everything.” Who knows? By slowing down a little, you may miss out on Peter Pan, but instead you may run across something that no one else does. The Imagineers put so much into the entire park, it’s a shame we overlook so much of their attention to detail. For example, I listened to a podcast recently where they talked about the Pecos Bill restaurant alone for like 45 minutes. I had no idea how much story there was on the walls. I highly recommend listening to some podcasts or reading some blogs and forums before going. You can find everything from tips to planning your trip, to things to look for while you are in the parks. My favorite is the WDW Radio Show. There are so many things I’ve heard about on there, and now I can’t wait to go back and explore more. I want to notice the details I’ve overlooked for years and spot some of these things that most people miss.

Before you go on your next trip, ask yourself, “What is my goal for this trip? What do I want my family to get out of it?” Would you answer, “I want to ride every ride.” I certainly hope not. Walt Disney World is not about rides. It’s about an experience. A magical experience. So next time you go, decide to make it your goal to have a “magical experience.” THAT is what would have made Walt happy.

Posted in Trip Planning | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

“Plussing” Your Vacation

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Mouse Host

Walt Disney World is not just some theme park that you just go to.  Walt Disney World is a resort with many theme parks and should not be taken lightly like Six Flags.  You can’t just pick up and go.  Well, I guess you can but you shouldn’t and that is the purpose of my blog.  There is so much you will miss out on if you just show up at WDW.  I want you to see it as it really is, not as the stereotypical assumption that it is “just for kids” or “just another theme park.”

There is a concept Walt Disney instilled in his employees at WED Enterprises (now WDI) from its inception all the way up to his death and the Imagineers’ approach to their work has continued to carry on Walt’s legacy in the entertainment business.  When Walt created something he did not just want to do something that had been done before.  He wanted to create new experiences for people and improve on things that had been done in the past.    The concept of creating new experiences can still be seen in WDW as it is constantly going through changes.  As nostalgic as some WDW fans may be, we must remember it was never Walt’s dream for Disneyland or WDW to remain the same.  Walt had a bit of nostalgia in him but he was also a man of innovation whose imagination often drifted to what the future had to hold. When developing the Walt Disney World concept he stated that he did not just want to create another Disneyland.

The idea of creating unique experience for guests lives on long after Walt as well as the word he coined for the idea: “Plussing.”  Plussing is it exactly what it sounds like: adding to in order to improve.  When creating new attractions Imagineers constantly look for ways to plus the guest’s experience.

Sometimes plussing is added into an experience by Imagineers with no extra effort needed on the guest’s part but there are countless ways you can plus your WDW vacation that may take a little more effort.  Again, that is the whole point of my blog.  I want to make you aware of some of the many ways you can plus your vacation so that you can catch a glimpse of the potential a Disney vacation has to offer.  I say a glimpse because there is always the potential to have a better experience because Disney has so much to offer and things are constantly changing.  It would be impossible to ever experience it all!  Which is bittersweet really because there are things you will miss but there are always things to look forward to!  My advice to you is to do some research before you vacation at WDW and find out how you can make your trip more unique, memorable, and magical!

“[Disneyland] is something that will never be finished. Something that I can keep developing, keep plussing and adding to. It’s alive. It will be a live breathing thing that will need changes. A picture is a thing, once you wrap it up and turn it over to Technicolor, you’re through. . . . I wanted something live, something that could grow, something I could keep plussing with ideas, you see? The park is that.”—Walt Disney

Posted in Trip Planning, WDW History | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue…..Review

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Mouse Host

My little nephew on the boat ride over from MK

So many memories from this place!

Those who only venture from their hotel room to the parks may not be aware that some of the best dining experiences are located outside of the parks.  We always stayed in Fort Wilderness growing up so our transportation to the Magic Kingdom was by boat.  On the way to the dock we would always pass The Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue.  We could not go to WDW all those years and pass by The Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue all those times without checking it out.  It is there that I had one of my most memorable experiences as a child.

When you step into Pioneer Hall you step back in time.  Upon entering the rustic dance hall you take on the role of a cowboy or cowgirl of the old west just looking for a little grub (or a lot) and some old fashioned entertainment.  You can be assured you will get plenty of both while dining in Pioneer Hall.  They treat you as if you just returned from driving cattle on the plains for the past week eating nothing but beans from a can.  Dinner is served family style.  Literal pales of fried chicken, BBQ ribs, baked beans, vegetables, and cornbread are slammed on your table an keep getting refilled as long as you keep emptying them.   The generosity at Pioneer Hall extends to their beverages as well.  Not only are there bottomless mason jars of sodas but also draft beer, wine, and sangria!  Unlimited alcohol is surely a rare find on WDW property but let me assure you it is not needed in order to be entertained by the Pioneer Hall Players.

It is definitely one of the most interactive dining experiences on WDW property but quite possibly one of the  most interactive shows as well.  The Pioneer Hall Players are good at what they do and what they do is make you laugh and make you part of the show.  I don’t want to give too much away because I think you should check it out yourself.  I will say that the Pioneer Hall Players are not always on the stage and you may not always be at your table.  It has been the same show for years which is a testament to its success but I have heard rumor of recent changes.  The show is full off musical numbers, dance routines, and classic Disney gags and jokes.

My first but not last stage appearance at WDW

A few lucky guest might just land a role in one of the skits.  I have personally managed to play two of the four roles.  One as a young hero who comes in to save the day from a dangerous Indian and the other as…well the dangerous Indian.  To be honest, I don’t really know the story line of that skit because both times I remember going I was in the skit and between focusing on my role and the excitement and adrenaline everything except what I did is bit of a blur.

Eating from buckets and drinking from mason jars…WIN!

Eat light the day you plan on dining at Pioneer Hall because it is all you can eat of comfort food straight out of the old west!  As much fried chicken, BBQ ribs, baked beans, vegetables, and cornbread as you can cram down before dessert!  The fried chicken was good but I was cramming down the ribs, beans, and cornbread.  I can’t remember what the vegetable was.  Why waste your time with vegetables?  As you’re chowing down on dinner you may not want to forget about dessert (or maybe you do) which is a hefty serving of strawberry shortcake which is presented in a way that makes a bigger deal out of it than I think they should.  If I were you I would stuff yourself with dinner or make plans to get dessert elsewhere.

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Overall, I think the Hoop-Dee-Revue is a must Doo (see what I did there?) at some point.  It may seem a bit pricey but the food (quantity and quality), entertainment, and atmosphere is totally worth it!  What do I mean by pricey?  There are three categories for seating: category 1 is $67.99, category 2 is $58.99, and category 3 is $58.99.  I would recommend making advanced dining reservations if you would like to eat here as there are only3 shows a day.

Grade:

Food Quantity:

Food Quality:

Atmosphere:

Experience:

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Posted in Food, Restaurant Review, shows | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Trivia time!

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Mouse Host

image

A girl at work gave me her Mickey Mouse coloring book and I colored this.  Why did I choose this one out of the whole book?  There really is some significance to this picture.  Might give hints if needed and will give the answer Sunday.

Hint #1: This does have to do with Disney history…

Hint #2: Walt would be proud

Hint #3: How did Mickey learn to play polo?

Answer: Mickey is following in his “father’s” footsteps.  Walt Disney was a regular polo player until an injury from the dangerous sport popular among the movie star society of that time forced him to hang up his mallet.

Posted in WDW History | Tagged | 6 Comments

WDW Bucket List: DiveQuest

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Mouse Host

Ask anyone what’s on their bucket list and the majority of people will have no difficulty rattling off at least five things they want to experience before they die.  Ask me what’s on my bucket list and the only difficulty I will have is naming something that doesn’t have to do with Disney…well at least naming more things that don’t have to do with Disney.  With that being said, this may be the first in an ongoing series where I cover things that are on my WDW bucket list and hopefully one day I will be able to review each item on my bucket list after experiencing them for myself.

The reason I have been slacking a little lately on the blog is because I have been pursuing one of my bucket list items.  The one I have been tackling lately could be found on my non-Disney bucket list but consequently will allow me to experience one of my WDW bucket list items.

After spending two weekends in a classroom and pool, followed by one weekend in a quarry, I am now scuba certified!  I have always loved the water and have wanted to scuba dive for as long as I can remember.  Now that I am certified, of all the places there are to scuba dive, the only one that is a “must do” for me at this point is the 5.7-million-gallon saltwater tank in Epcot.  You might be asking, “How do you plan on doing that?  Are you planning on working there someday?”  Well, as a matter of fact, I do plan on working there someday but I don’t have to be a Cast Member to dive the waters of the Living Seas.

DiveQuest offers scuba certified guests the opportunity to experience the Living Seas from the other side of the 6 inch “glass” (actually acrylic).  This unique experience cost $175 and 3 hours out of your day but in my opinion, would absolutely be worth it!  I have had my share of being “on stage” at WDW and all of those instances have been free but I would have easily paid for the opportunities I have had to experience WDW in a way most do not get to.  I will not hesitate to shell out (see what I did there?….”shell” out!) $175 for this experience!

As a DiveQuest participant, you become part of the show for those admiring the 6,000 creatures who call the second largest saltwater aquarium in the world their home.  Guests dining in the Coral Reef Restaurant will watch you with envy and you may watch them with envy as you swim right up to their table an observe their appetizing entree.  Guests wandering the Living Seas pavilion can also view the show through any one of the 56 windows measuring 8 ft by 24 ft, weighing in at about 9,000 lbs each.

For a WDW nerd like myself, it’s like Christmas morning anytime I can get a look at the behind-the-scenes at Walt Disney World!  I am just so intrigued at how Disney does the things they do.  DiveQuest, of course, offers participants a back-stage look at the Living Seas Pavilion and what it takes to run such an elaborate man-made environment that supports over 60 different aquatic species.

I have read numerous accounts of guests who have experienced DiveQuest and they all have mentioned that the Cast Members instruct participants that when they enter the water they are now “on stage” and to act accordingly.  As entertaining as it is for those diving in Disney’s aquarium, they have also volunteered to be part of the show and have now become part of the entertainment for everyone else.  How many times have you been enjoying a nice sea food dinner and a scuba diver swims right up to your table?  That would make for and interesting meal right?…  Remember that Disney is all about the show.  When Disney allows guests to be part of the show they want to be sure that those not participating are also entertained.

I think it would be even more of a magical experience for me if I have someone else there to experience it with me, not necessarily in the water but on the other side of the glass.  I think it would be cool to swim up to the glass and to see my family on the other side.  We have a family vacation to the World in the works for next summer.  As of now it is going to be my mom and dad, my sister and brother-in-law, and my niece and nephew.  I think it will be a unique experience for them to them as well.

Posted in EPCOT, Hidden Treasure, WDW Bucket List | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

There’s a new mermaid in town…

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Mouse Host

A new mermaid has swam into the Disney picture.  Maybe not as well known but certainly older than Ariel, the mermaid whose association with coffee no one seems to question (what’s up with that?) will now also be associated with Disney.  Recently Starbucks, an entity only 7 months older than Walt Disney World has agreed to a deal to serve their product in Disney Parks.

Now I don’t consider myself to be a coffee snob.  Yes, I frequent the coffee from gas stations and I even occasionally drink the coffee at work (proof that I’m no coffee snob…or am really desperate!).  I may subject myself to “lesser” coffees but I still like to treat myself to a nice, maybe overpriced, cup of quality coffee at times.  Actually, I happen to be doing that right now!

At my favorite coffee house…not Starbucks

It will be a rare occurrence for me to ever speak or write anything criticizing Walt Disney World and you are about to witness such an occurrence.   Give me a moment while a muster up the strength to type these next few words words………………………………

Okay I think I’m ready.  One of the most common criticisms I stumble across in the WDW forum/blog community is about the coffee served on site and though it pains me to do so…I agree.  The way I tour the parks requires coffee so I can attest to this complaint.  The way I tour the parks some refer to as “commando style.”  I know you just pictured me touring the parks in the nude!  I know you did!  Come on!  Seriously!  Yeah, I agree, I need to come up with a new name.  Anyway, back on topic…The best way to explain the way I tour is this:  The hotel is only a place to take a nap while the parks are closed.  Taking that in to consideration along with the fact that my sister, brother-in-law, and I drove the entire way to Florida from Missouri in one shot, coffee was more a necessity than a luxury and the taste was a testament to that.  I filled my coffee mug in the food court of our hotel every morning before I hit the parks and that coffee and the “Disney adrenaline” as my granny calls it, is what gets me through to my next nap time.

With the exception of a few restaurants scattered throughout the World, the brew on Disney property doesn’t really measure up to the Disney standard in my opinion.  I shall not go into theories as to why.  Instead let us focus on the good news.  A better brew is on its way!

quality cup of coffee

Now you may think Starbucks coffee is overpriced but if you have ever blown a five dollar bill on a cup of coffee there I think it would be difficult to argue that it is a quality cup of joe.  Come on, admit it.  Yes it may be a bit pricey and I would rather spend the same at a local coffee house but I cannot deny that it is good coffee.  I will also admit the new deal between Disney and Starbucks will make my coffee selection a bit difficult.  Do I save money by forcing down a crappy cup of coffee or do I spend a little more dough for a better cup of joe?

When I am on WDW property I don’t want to be reminded that the outside world exists so I definitely wouldn’t want to walk into a typical Starbucks that I can go to just down the road from my house.  So I was pleased to hear in the WDW blog buzz that the Starbucks stores that will be coming to the parks will be themed in accordance to their location to maintain the allusion and story.  Story telling and theming is an area of expertise for the Disney company who has perfected the art and I would argue that no one does it better.  I think there is great potential for these stores and think it would be great if they could theme the products to either the stores location within the park or with the Disney brand.  I’m not sure if Starbucks would go for that but there is a lot of potential for fun ideas.

Disney has been part of many great “marriages” through the years: George Lucas, Jim Henson, and recently James Cameron just to name a few.  I believe this new marriage to be a good one.  Starbucks is a very successful company that strives for quality in its products and customer service which meshes nicely with Disney’s business reputation.  The first store is set to open in Disneyland and there will be more to follow in each of the parks in Walt Disney World.  I think it is great that Disney is finally going to make a quality cup of coffee more readily available to its guests.  Hopefully I will be able to partake in October!

Posted in Food, Snacks, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

United Kingdom Phone Booths

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Mouse Host

I think most people would be surprised as to how far Disney goes to achieve authenticity.  Whenever Disney creates an attraction so much time and effort goes toward maintaining the illusion that guests are in a specific place or story.  One testament to this (well three actually) sit, often overlooked in the United Kingdom pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase.

The three bright red phone booths may just seem like another detail to make the United Kingdom pavilion appear authentic but their authenticity goes beyond their mere appearance.  If you take the time to explore these phone booths you may just discover a little secret that very few guests know.  Take the time to step inside and don’t be surprise if you receive a call.  That’s right they are actual working phone booths!

Okay, you may be saying, “What’s the big deal about an actual working phone booth?”  Besides the fact that they are pretty much extinct, these booths in Epcot can be a lot of fun.  For instance….

My Walt Disney World geekdom led me to the discovery of this secret and the numbers for each phone before our last trip.  So I collaborated with my mom to devise a little surprise for my sister.  I gave my mom the phone numbers and told her when we would be going to Epcot and to have her phone ready.  As we neared the UK pavilion I texted her and slyly led everyone over to the phone booths so we could explore.  Then the booth my sister was explore began to ring.  She looked at me puzzled and I said, “Well, answer it!”  There was a moment of brief confusion after she answered but I could tell by the look on her face when she finally realized who she was speaking to.

As we made our way through World Showcase I broke out my phone and gave the phone booth right off the main walkway a call.  A man picked up and I told him we were looking for someone from our group who was missing.  I then described this missing member as having large ears, wearing white gloves, with red shorts and yellow shoes.  The man then replied, “I am not the one you need to be talking to.” and handed the phone off.  Next thing I know I was speaking with a girl I would have guessed to be about five years old.  I then once again describe the missing member of our party and asked if she would keep an eye out for him and tell him we are looking for him.  Between surprising my sister and speaking to that little girl, it was a fun little way to do something off the beaten path to “plus” our WDW vacation.

Walt Disney World is full of free, fun and easy ways to create unique lasting memories for each trip.  The phone booths in the United Kingdom is one of those and I encourage you to take time to not only check out the phone booths but to notice the details that surround you in the World whether they appear to be authentic or actually are.

Give ’em a call…(407) 827-9861, (407) 827-9862, (407) 827-9863

Posted in EPCOT, Hidden Treasure | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Day 180

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Mouse Host

Ask any Walt Disney World enthusiast how many days they have left and most will quickly spout of a number.  No, they are not referring to how many days they have left to live.  They are referring to how many days they have left until they are back in the World.  Some may give a single digit number with many exclamations behind it or you may even get a three digit number….yes we keep track that far in advance.  You might even come across a few who will list multiple numbers.

Tutto Italia Ristorante

Today is day 180 for me!  This is a significant number when it comes to planning a Walt Disney World vacation.  Why you ask…as you always do.  I don’t know why you even asked.  You know I am going to tell you anyway but I appreciate your enthusiasm!

Day 180 is important because it is the earliest you can book an advanced dining reservation (often referred to as ADRs) at any of the over 75 table service restaurants located within Walt Disney World.  It may seem ridiculous to book a reservation at a restaurant your are going to eat at six months from now but there are some restaurants where you will not get a table unless you are proactive in your planning.  One of the most sought after dining experience is Le Cellier Steakhouse located at the Canada pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase.

Sometimes you may get lucky if you happen to catch a reservation someone canceled but if you really want to experience a particular restaurant I advise adhering to the 180 day rule.  Last May we planned our trip only a couple months before our trip so we did not have a 180 day last time.  We also happen to nab the free counter-service dining plan (future post) but we upgraded to the regular dining plan to include some table service dining.  This only left us a few months to make our ADRs.  Le Cellier was out of the question but just because the restaurant is not fully booked does not mean it is not worth checking out.  I was very impressed by the table service meals we had and restaurant reviews will be coming soon!

yes…the fish get to watch you eat…fish

As big a deal as WDW enthusiast make out of the 180 day mark it is only relevant if you are wanting to experience any table service restaurants which I highly recommend.  Dining in Walt Disney World can be one of best and most unique dining experience you may ever have and is big part of a true WDW experience and like everything else Disney does the little details to do go overlooked.  You do not have to plan to eat at one every day but I would browse some of the restaurants on Walt Disney World’s website and find one that really interests you and will fit in your budget.  I will be honest there are some pretty pricey restaurants at WDW and some even have a dress code but I can assure you the service, quality, and the memories you will get from the experience will be totally worth it!

Reservations can be made on disneyworld.com/dining or by calling 407-WDW-DINE and now using the free Mobile Magic App!

Posted in Food, Trip Planning | Tagged , , | 4 Comments