Disney World planning Archives

Disney Vacation February 19, 2021

Cool Facts about Liberty Square in Magic Kingdom

The Liberty Tree Tavern is a great restaurant in Liberty Square at the Magic Kindgom.

For many visitors of Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park, Liberty Square is just a pass-through land. But, take some time to look around on your way to Frontierland and you will see a few very interesting things. There are a few things that the history lover in me finds extremely fascinating. So, read on to learn some intriguing facts about Liberty Square at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

The Architecture of Liberty Square

Stepping into Liberty Square transports guests into the Revolutionary War period of United States History. The buildings are all built with Federal and Colonial style architecture. The Imagineers set you in the 1700s and have you travel from Boston to Virginia as you look at all the different buildings.

Haunted Mansion–reminiscent of the gothic architecture in New York’s Dutch New Amsterdam in the early 1700s.
The Columbia Harbor House–looks just like a mid-1700s home in Boston
The Hall of Presidents–inspired by the buildings in Philadelphia during the late 1700s (about the time of the signing of the Constitution).
Liberty Tree Tavern–this building has a bit more of the Georgian styling from Williamsburg in the late 1700s

The Liberty Tree

Many Revolutionary towns had their own Liberty Tree so Disney Imagineers felt Liberty Square had to have one too. This giant oak tree is over 130 years old. It was actually transplanted from another spot on Disney property to its current location in Liberty Square. Moving it was quite a feat since the tree was almost 40 tons. But they were successful and it still stands today providing a nice bit of shade for guests.

The Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell in Liberty Square is one of 50 exact replicas of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. Each state was given a replica in celebration of the United States Bicentennial in 1976. After about 10 years someone at the Walt Disney Company found out that Pennsylvania was not using their replica (because who needs a replica when you have the real thing) and asked to display it. On the 4th of July, 1989 the replica was placed in Liberty Square for millions of visitors to enjoy.

The Hall of Presidents

Believe it or not, the Hall of Presidents is actuall a federally recognized museum. Genuine artifacts from past presidents and first ladies are all along the walls. You can also read the stories behind the different items and learn a little more about American History. The lobby carpet also displays the Presidential Seal. This is actually official! You will find this seal only in the White House and at Disney World. How cool is that!

The 13 Colonies

The thirteen original colonies are represented in two ways. There are 13 lanterns hanging from the Liberty Tree. And the flags that surround the Liberty Bell represent each colony. There is a plaque in front of each flag with the name of the colony and the date they became an official state of the United States.

Slanted Shutters

During the Revolutionary War the United States was able to get very little metal. So the resourceful Colonists got metal from wherever they could to melt down and be repurposed. That means that even the window shutter hinges were stripped and replaced with leather straps. As you can imagine, the leather soon stretched out and caused a bit of shifting. So, in the quest to make Liberty Square as realistic as possible the shutters on some of the buildings are a bit askew.

Lack of Restrooms

You will not be able to find a bathroom in Liberty Square. Restrooms were not at all authentic to the time period so the Disney Imagineers omitted them. Instead look to the ground. You will notice a brown sidewalk flowing through the land. Since there was no indoor plumbing during this time waste was dumped into the street. The brown represents what might have been the early American “sewage system”.

Liberty Square at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom might be small but definitely has some cool facts to learn. This attention to detail and striving to immerse guests into the story of the lands is one of the many reasons to love visiting Disney World!

Thinking of a trip to Disney World? Contact me and let’s get started planning your amazing family vacation!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Other Disney World articles you might like:

Disney Vacation December 1, 2020

6 Top Tips for Your Walt Disney World Family Reunion

Get some great tips for planning your next family reunion at Walt Disney World.

If you are planning a multi-generational family trip, there’s nowhere better in the world to reunite than Walt Disney World. It offers endless entertainment opportunities for children and adults of all ages, as well as fantastic accommodation and dining options. However, a large group trip to Walt Disney World requires some planning to make it a successful and enjoyable trip for all. Today I’m going to share with you my top tips to make your next Disney World family reunion a magical one.

Designate one family member as the main point of contact

In most families, there’s always someone who loves organizing days out and vacations. They are going to be the best bet for taking on the role of organizer for your big family trip. While all the pressure and decision-making shouldn’t be left to one person, it’s much easier to have one person working with your travel agent, looking after your reservations and your bookings. This will save double-bookings and squabbles over the itinerary, and it’s best if they are in charge of your family’s My Disney Experience app and login details. Come together every month or so by video call or in-person to keep up-to-date on any changes to the vacation plans.

Use a Travel Agent

Why handle all the stress and pressure of planning such a big trip by yourself if you don’t have to! The easiest way to offload this stress is to delegate some of this responsibility to a reliable travel agent. By using Alaska to Mickey Vacations, we can handle many of the tasks required for planning a Disney vacation. We’ve visited Disney for countless years, so know the best resorts to stay at and the top restaurants to choose for large groups. With the addition of the requirement of park reservations recently, we’re here to help with any questions or concerns you may have regarding this.

Set your Budget

Discussing money and budgets can be uncomfortable, but it’s best to get this conversation out of the way far in advance of the vacation itself. Everyone travels in a different style, so try to find a compromise as far as resort choices and budgets are concerned. The great thing about Walt Disney World is that there are so many choices for accommodation on-site and in the surrounding area. You’ll easily be able to find the perfect hotel or resort for each family’s budget and accommodation preferences.

Accommodation options for large groups

Once you’ve decided on your budget, it’s time to consider your accommodation options. This is one of the most important parts of planning your family reunion at Disney World. If you are looking to share accommodation with multiple family members, I’d recommend choosing one of the Deluxe Resorts or Deluxe Villa Resorts. These resorts offer more spacious accommodations and have units which feature one, two and three-bedroom options. They are ideal if grandparents are hoping to spend more time with their grandchildren.

For a more budget-friendly option, look at Art of Animation’s family suites, which can comfortably fit up to six people. Another unique option is to stay at Fort Wilderness, where you can enjoy their rustic cabins. You’ll appreciate the extra space to run around as well as the fun recreation options this resort provides. For the ultimate family reunion, consider booking a Treehouse Villa at Saratoga Springs Resort, which sleeps up to nine people.

Dining Reservations

Regardless of how big your travel party is, I’d always recommend booking your Disney dining reservations on the day they open up for booking. This is especially true for large groups, which can be harder to book into some of the most popular restaurants. Make sure you’ve all agreed on a rough itinerary beforehand, so you can try your best to secure all your top restaurant choices. Remember that for large parties, a tip of 18% will automatically be added to your bill.

For large groups, buffets are a great option, as you’ll find something for even the pickiest of eaters and everyone can eat when they are ready. For a great value for money option, I’d recommend Trail’s End at Fort Wilderness Resort, which serves breakfast and dinner daily. You can’t visit Disney without a character meal, especially if you are traveling with younger children, so for the best character interactions, I’d recommend Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom or Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary Resort.

Factor in some relaxation time

Group trips can be overwhelming for everyone involved, so it’s important to factor in some downtime to your vacation. Whether that’s time apart as a separate family unit, or an afternoon together at the pool, a few hours away from the parks will leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. There’s so much more to Disney than just the theme parks, so enjoy an adult evening at Disney Springs shopping, dining and drinking, or hop around the resorts to enjoy the bars and recreation facilities on offer.

Walt Disney World is the perfect location for a family reunion, and with some advance planning, you’ll create memories that last a lifetime.

If you need any help planning your next trip, please don’t hesitate to contact me as I’d love to help you in any way I can! I hope your next family trip offers you a magical time together and moments that you’ll cherish forever as a family.

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

How about some other posts you might find interesting…

Disney Vacation November 9, 2020

Best Gentle but Entertaining Rides at Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom at Disney World boasts many great rides and shows. But did you know that there are some rides at the Magic Kingdom that are a ride and a show all in one? Yep! There are! These rides are gentle and are great for the entire family, including the youngest ones. So let’s get into the best gentle and entertaining rides at the Magic Kingdom.

It’s a Small World

This is the ride that made Disney famous. No, really! It was one of the first rides created by Walt Disney for the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair and then it was brought to Disneyland. This ride was also one of the first when Disney World opened in 1971. But, enough history.

It’s a Small World is a captivating 10-minute boat ride through the continents of the world. As you ride along through each continent you are surrounded by large dolls that are dancing, swinging, twirling, and singing. Many countries from each continent are represented through the dolls’ costumes, the sets, and the language of the song at that location. The sets are bright, colorful, and captivating. The action is all around you. Really, you have to ride this a few times to catch all the beautiful details.

It’s a Small World is a wonderful ride but I would get a Fastpass for it unless there aren’t any other options or you just have to ride it. It loads fairly quickly and the lines aren’t usually over the top long. For many this is a love it or leave it ride. You will have to see how this gentle ride at the Magic Kingdom stacks up for you.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Yo ho, Yo ho, A Pirates life for me! Deep in the bowels of the Spanish fort, you board your boat for this journey into the days of the pirates. You are brought through a sea battle. You are witness to a rollickin’ ruckus as they bring back their booty and their daily life. You experience the perils of the job. I challenge you to leave the pirate lair without the catchy tune rolling around in your head for the rest of the day. Pirates of the Caribbean is definitely one of the classic, don’t miss rides at Magic Kingdom.

Pirates of the Caribbean is a FastPass ride and is a possible choice. This is a very popular ride and the lines can get long later in the day. But, there are other rides that would probably be better for Fastpasses. Pick Pirates if you have an extra pass available. This one is also a good one to get after your initial passes are used up.

Jungle Cruise

Oh my! The Jungle Cruise is definitely a Disney classic. It may seem that these gen’te rides are just for the kiddies. But, that is just not so! The Jungle cruise will take you through, yep, the jungles of Asia and Africa. You will encounter friendly and unfriendly animals (Beware!), a little mystery and possibly a little danger (Disney style danger). The best part of this ride, and what makes it so fun for adults too, is the riverboat captains. Listen carefully as they are really the quirkiest guides and they make your trip, well…definitely memorable.

Jungle Cruise is a FastPass ride (when available again) and is a worthy selection. This is a very popular ride and will often have a long line all during the day. This could be good choice for Rope Drop if you have Fastpasses to other rides. You might also try and get aboard the Jungle Cruise at night for a little different experience.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover

The TTA Peoplemover is often underlooked. No, really it is because it is easily missed over everyone’s heads. The Peoplemover is a terrific ride for when you just need to put your feet up and relax. Take the escalator up to the loading deck. Once you board your car you just have to sit back and enjoy. Enjoy the cool breeze. Enjoy the gently rocking movement of the car. Enjoy not having to walk but getting to see all over Tomorrowland from above. Enjoy watching all the people below standing in line or looking around confused about where to go next. If you are lucky, the TTA Peoplemover will be transporting guests in a big circle and just waiting for you to board.

The lines for the Peoplemover will be the longest in the middle of the day when people are ready to take a bit of a break. How do you feel so far about these gentle rides at the Magic Kingdom?

Peter Pan’s Flight

Board your pirate galleon and follow Peter Pan high above the rooftops of London and on to Neverland. During this gentle flight you will love how the colors come alive even in the dark of night. Each scene transports you right back to your childhood and into the story of Peter Pan. What will happen to the Lost Boys and Tink? Who will win this time? Take flight and see!

This is another great ride to cool off and put your feet up for a few minutes. It is definitely the most “kiddie” of all the gentle rides. Due to the way Peter Pan’s Flight loads, the lines can be quite long. The best time to ride is first thing in the morning at Rope Drop or if you have a FastPass you can go later in the day.

So, what about you? Do you enjoy any of these gentle rides at the Magic Kingdom? Do you skip them or are they not to miss? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Awesome Pools at Disney World Resorts

The pool at Disney’s Polynesian Resort and Bungalows, a Deluxe Resort.

When you think of staying at a Disney World Resort it probably isn’t necessarily for the resort. Most people think of their resort as a place to lay their head in between park days. BUT, your Disney World Resort can be so much more. There is so much to see and do at Disney World Resorts that you could almost plan a vacation to stay solely at the resort and never step foot in the parks. How do awesome pools at Disney World Resorts fit into this? Let’s find out!

Maybe your family doesn’t want to spend every waking moment in the parks but would like to have a couple of down days at the resort. If you want relaxation days at the resort then picking out your resort becomes a bit more important. It is important to consider what each resort has to offer. And, one of the big things is the POOLS at your Disney World Resort!

Important note: Pool hopping between resorts is not allowed so this is one reason resort selection is very important! There are two exceptions: All-Star resort guests may hop between All-Star pools and those staying at Disney’s Port Orleans can use both Riverside and French Quarter pools.

Pools vary by Disney World Resort type

While all the pools are very nice at the Disney World Resorts they are certainly not all equal. You can start narrowing things down just by the type of resort you choose:

Value Resorts: These pools are just a very large open pool more like a community swimming pool. The area around the pool has some really fun decor surrounding the pool, but the pools themselves are fairly simple. There will be at least two large pools at each value resort. You might also find a small splash area for little ones at some of the value resorts.
Moderate Resorts: The pools at moderate resorts are a definite step up. The awesomeness of the pool areas vary from resort to resort. The pool area is unique to each resort, beautifully fitting the theme of the resort. The pool is large with a waterslide or two and fun water elements. You will also find a splash area. Since these resorts are larger there are also a simple, quiet pools or two around the resort.
Deluxe Resorts and Villas: These resorts have the best pool areas. You could spend the day at these pools and have fun all day. They have multiple slides and at some resorts, they are quite long. You also will find beach areas at some and zero-entry for little ones.

Using the Disney World Resort pools in 2020/2021

Due to COVID-19 there are a few changes at the pools.

Pools will have reduced capacity.
Since park hours aren’t as long many guests are wanting to go to the pools later in the day, so plan accordingly.
Featured pools (the big ones near the main building with the cool slides) may have reduced hours
Leisure pools (the quiet ones away from the main building in Moderate and Deluxe Resorts) are open 24 hours.
Masks for guests 2 and up are required in all public areas including the pool area.

BUT, GUESS WHAT! If you are swimming you don’t have to have your mask on making this one of the only places you can go mask free. That is an awesome benefit of going to the pools at your Disney World Resort.

3 Awesome Pools at Disney World

Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club

The pool at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club, called Stormalong Bay, is one of the best on Disney World property. You will love the zero-entry beachy area and the wrecked pirate ship waterslide. This waterslide is one of the longest you will find. Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club and Villas is a Deluxe Resort.

Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club

The pirate ship waterslide at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resort makes this one of the awesome pools at Disney World Resorts. — The pirate ship waterslide is a long journey of fun across the walkway and into the pool on the other side.

A quiet pool at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club and Villas.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney’s Caribbean Beach pool is a great place to spend a day out of the park. If you stay at this resort you will love the large pool with fun slides. Your young kids will love the nearby pirate ship splash area. Something fun for everyone! In each “country” there is a also a smaller simple pool. While the main pool area isn’t too far away it is really convenient to have a pool just steps from your room. Disney’s Caribbean Beach is a moderate resort.

The slides and Caribbean feel at Disney's Caribbean Beach make it one of the awesome pools at Disney World Resorts. — One of the fun slides at the pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach.

Fuentes del Morro pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach

The pirate ship splash area at Disney's Caribbean Beach is one of the awesome pools at Disney World Resorts. — Pirate ship splash area at Disney’s Caribbean Beach

One of the quiet pools at Disney’s Caribbean Beach

Disney’s Pop Century

The value resort, Disney’s Pop Century, has three different pools to choose from. They are big and open and there is lots of room for everyone. Around the pool areas, you will find some fun activities and games as well as lots of chairs for lounging around. The giant Twister is a ton of fun! Disney’s Pop Century is a fantastic value resort option.

The Computer Pool at Disney's Pop Century is one of the awesome pools at Disney World Resorts. — Computer Pool at Disney’s Pop Century

Unfortunately, the Hippy Dippy Pool is not pictured because it was under construction when I visited. The Hippy Dippy Pool is a fun flower shape and has some really nice water elements and a small splash area for little ones.

One last awesome feature of Disney World Resort Pools…

The pools at the Disney World Resorts are all heated to 82 degrees. This means that they can stay open all year round. They do close them during bad weather and really low temperatures but you wouldn’t want to be out there then anyway.

Do you have a favorite pool at a Disney World Resort? Do you have a question about the pools at one of the other Disney World Resorts? Please let me know in the comments below!

Would you like help picking out the perfect Disney World Resort for your family vacation in 2021? Contact me and we can get started planning a fabulous Disney World vacation right away!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon: Not just another water park!

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is one of two water parks on Disney World property. Typhoon Lagoon definitely lives up to Disney standards. The theme throughout the park is top-notch. You are incorporated into the savage storm and shipwreck story in true Disney style. This is part of what makes Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon special and not just another water park. Read on about how the surroundings and attractions make Typhoon Lagoon not just another water park!

For our family, Typhoon Lagoon is the rest day that the whole family looks forward to. Everyone is out having fun. There aren’t rides we have to get to or shows we have to see. It is pure relaxation and soaking up the sun. A day at Typhoon Lagoon is almost heaven!

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon is not just another water park but a relaxing haven from the busy theme parks.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon–Shipwrecked on a deserted island

Immediately upon entering Disney’s Typhoon lagoon you are enveloped in a tropical island feel. Lush greenery is all along the path that heads into the park and there is even sand on the walkway. At the top of the hill you get your first glimpse of the huge wave pool (the waves are so big they have surfing lessons), sandy beaches and “Ms Tilly” resting atop Mayday Mountain.

All throughout the park you see remnants of a freak storm that ravaged the island and threw things hither and thither. The buildings look like they are on their last leg just adds to the ambience.

Your HQ for the day

After you enter you get to search for a place to set your stuff for the day. There are plenty of chairs all over but get there early if you want something in the shade.

Over on the left side of the wave pool is a nice shallow, protected area that is a fantastic place to stay if you have little ones. You can even get one of the little chairs and sit in the shallow water and watch your baby or toddler play in safety. This area isn’t effected by the large waves as much. Down a little farther are a couple of small kids slides that end fairly close to the wave pool. The water still isn’t very deep but you should keep a close eye on your children that cannot swim.

Going right to find a spot for the day is a good idea if you have older kids. This is a fairly central location to the Crush ‘n Gusher, tube slides down Mayday Mountain, and raft rides. There are also quite a few entry points for the lazy river, Castaway Creek which circles the park. You most likely won’t find a spot on the beach at the wave pool unless you get there really early but there are plenty of other sandy areas to relax.

Typhoon Lagoon Water Park Attractions

A few rides have been mentioned but let’s go over the list. There is so much to do but don’t go expecting jaw-dropping slides. Let’s say the slides at Typhoon Lagoon are Disneyfied water slides. Fantastic and fun not super fast and scary. These attractions are what sets Typhoon Lagoon apart from other water parks. Let’s take a look at the attractions starting to the right of the surf pool.

Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool–a humungous wave pool alternating between 6ft waves, bubbling waves and calm. This is not safe for little ones or weak swimmers!
Crush ‘n Gusher–(one of our favorites) Choose between one of three routes at this abandoned fruit processing plant. One or two people ride their rafts down the twists and turns of the water jetted tubes dumping out into a shallow pool. At the far end it is a nice wading pool for little ones.

The Crush 'n Gusher is one of the great activities that makes Typhoon Lagoon not just another water park.

Miss Adventure Falls–a large raft ride for the whole family with cool animatronics and plenty of twists and turns.

Castaway Creek–a 2100ft loop around the park (through caves, rainforests, open grottos, and waterfalls) is the perfect way to kick back and relax. It is for all ages but children must be accompanied by and adult.
Storm Slides–body slides through caves, geysers, and waterfalls and a 36ft drop. This one actually is only a little bit scary.
Humunga Kowabunga–this one is super scary! Plunge 214ft down Mayday Mountain at speed up to 30 miles an hour in an enclosed body slide. NEXT!
Keelhaul Falls–the least intense of the raft rides. Just a smooth ride down through caves and waterfalls enjoying the palm trees along the way.
Gangplank Falls–a fun raft slide for the family (up to 4 persons). It is fairly speedy and there is a lot of banking on the turns. Oh, and don’t expect to come out dry.
Mayday Falls–it is called Mayday for a reason! Well, not exactly. This one person raft ride is just a little more intense than Keelhaul Falls and tons of fun.
Ketchakiddee Creek–where the little ones hang out (and consequentially, mom or dad too). Designed for little ones in mind with gentle slides, splashing and squirting elements, and mini tube ride. A perfect place for little ones. As a parent I love how easy it is to rescue your children in this area if needed (in comparison to the other water park which isn’t). As you can see it isn’t just for little ones.

Ketchakiddee Creek is one of the activities for little ones that makes Typhoon Lagoon not just another water park.

Bay Slides–these slides are a supposed to be a little like kid sized Storm Slides. While the slides are very mild the water they empty into is not! Keep your eyes on young children as the waves from the surf pool can easily knock them over.

Where to Eat at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

Scattered around the park are various snack bars and eateries. The food varies at each location so it is definitely worth a walk around to see what you might want to eat. Not all places are open year-round. Leaning Palms near the front of the park is always open and serves a nice assortment of basic food options. The nearby Snack Shack also has some great options.

As you wander around don’t miss how Disney has made all of the food places fit into the story and surroundings. This is another reason why the attractions and the environment pull you into the story and make Typhoon Lagoon more than just another water park.

The great news is that you don’t have to eat the food served in the park. You are allowed to bring in your own just as long as it’s in a soft-sided cooler and no glass. Two picnic areas are provided for those bringing in their own food.

A bit of this and that

Lockers are available but cost $15/day
Towel rental is $2
Life jackets are provided free of charge
Souvenir cups are nice to have during the day. There are a few refill stations located around the park. BUT, don’t forget to drink lots of water!
Cabanas and Beachcomber Shacks can be reserved at a premium price by calling (407) 939-7529 or visiting Singapore Sal’s upon arrival. If you are wanting to rent the day of make sure you are there at opening, especially during the busy season.
There is a place to shower and change but the cast members really seem to rush people out of there at closing time. Start cleaning up early if you want a leisurely shower. Oh, the changing rooms get pretty congested at the end of the day.

Are the Disney Water Parks a must do on your Disney World vacation? Do you like Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach better? What is your favorite activity at Typhoon Lagoon? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Are you interested in planning a vacation to Disney World and playing at Typhoon Lagoon water park? Let me help you get started!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Here are some other Disney World posts you might like to read:

Disney Vacation September 25, 2020

Hair-Raising Thrill Rides at Hollywood Studios

Hollywood studios is home to some of the best thrill rides on Disney World property. Yes, there are some other great rides in other parks such as Soarin’ and Test Track at Hollywood Studios and Expedition Everest and Flights of Passage at Animal Kingdom. BUT, Hollywood Studios has some awesome thrill rides all packed into one park!

My definition of thrill ride is ones that make your hair stand on end. They are fast, or have a lot of movement, are super, super cool, and are not recommended for young children or pregnant women. Let me clarify though, these are DISNEY THRILL RIDES, not to be confused with actual thrill rides in every other amusement park in the country.

Let’s get started with the somewhat tame but super awesome thrill rides at Hollywood Studios!

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Hollywood Tower of Terror is a thrill ride at Hollywood Studios.

I love thrill rides but the Tower of Terror is one I rode once and don’t go on anymore. I HATE dropping straight down. And, even though the drop on this ride is not terribly far (only 13 stories) that is more than enough for me.

But, I digress. What I do love about this ride is the theming. You enter into a old, decrepit hotel from the 1930’s. The lobby truly looks frozen in time. The dust and cobwebs are everywhere. As you proceed through the queue the details brings this old, seemingly haunted hotel to life.

Finally, you get to board the ride which is rows of chairs in an large elevator. After going up, you have immediately entered the Twilight Zone and learn the story of a family who disappeared on a fateful, stormy night. Will you make it back? You will think twice as you plummet down the elevator shaft a couple times.

Rock ‘n Roller Coaster

Probably my favorite ride in all of Disney World, Rock ‘n Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith is sure to please the most avid thrill seeker!

The queue until you get on the ride is pretty uninteresting. Once you get past the short “video” with the band you enter the backstage area that has some great details that get you in the mood. Your “ride” is roller coaster cars designed as a really long limo. After boarding you start moving only to stop before a tunnel. You sit and wait in eager anticipation for the light to turn green. Then, you shoot off like a rocket twisting and turning (YES! There are loops and corkscrews) through the dark streets of LA trying to make it to the concert in time.

One of the best parts of this ride (aside from the speed, twists and turns in the dark) is the Aerosmith tunes blasting (and I do mean blasting) in your ears. Each vehicle play different hit songs–“Walk this Way,” “Dude (Looks Like a Lady),” “Sweet Emotion,” and “Back in the Saddle.” You also might catch “Love in a Roller Coaster” which was rewritten from “Love in an Elevator” just for this ride. Now, you have a reason to ride Rock ‘n Roller coaster over and over again, just to hear all the songs!

Star Tours–The Adventures Continue

Star Tours is the classic Star Wars ride at Disney World. This is definitely an oldie but goodie!

This is a flight simulator ride with digital 3D video, Audio-Animatronic character and special effects in the cockpit to make your adventure almost real. Once aboard your Starspeeder 1000 you unfortunately launch too soon and and C-3PO has to take over. As expected, your ship is intercepted by Imperial forces and you have to escape. Let the fun begin!

There are a multitude of different scenarios you might encounter as well as many different Star Wars characters from past and present. Another ride that gives you permission to ride over and over again! Whoop Whoop!

Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the home to Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run. This newer flight simulator ride will test your limits as you and your companions fly the Millenium Falcon on a thrilling smuggling mission. Each person in the cockpit has a job to do (pilot, engineer or gunner) for the mission to be successful. Good thing there is on the job training!

This ride has a super long queue but often not a long wait. Going in the single rider line can be a way to get on even faster. But, generally the people in the single rider line are given the job as engineer which isn’t quite as interactive as the other positions.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Rise of the Resistance is a thrill ride at Hollywood Studios

Okay, Rise of the Resistance is probably one of the most amazing rides I have ever been on (except Hagrid’s at Universal Studios). Before you even get on the ride you are throughly captivated and drawn completely into the story. You see, the Resistance needs help! They want to recruit you for a secret mission. As you can imagine the mission goes awry and you are captured by the enemy. You have to get away! But how?!

All parts of this experience are amazing! The queue, the ride, the guards (cast members are Ahhhmazing!) and the special effects. Oh my goodness, this is an awesome ride!

It’s so fantastic that it has been very hard to get on. Reservations in the virtual queue have to be made a specific times during the day. Make sure that you are on the app a little before the reservation window to attempt to get a flight time. If you need help with the app ask a Cast Member BEFORE the window opens. If you wait until after it will be too late.

Which one of these rides is your favorite? Haven’t been on them all? Which one do you want to go on next? Let me know in the comments below!

If you are interested in planning a Disney World vacation so you can enjoy this spine-tingleing rides please contact me! I would love to help!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Here are some other posts you might be interested in:

Disney World September 25, 2020

A Guide to Disney World Resort Categories

At Walt Disney World there are 20+ resorts you can choose to stay at. It can be mind-boggling trying to figure out which one is best for your family. There are different price points, different amenities, different dining choices, different locations ect. You might be wondering how do I narrow down my choices? You don’t want to make a mistake and pick the wrong place to stay but how do you know which one is right. This guide to Disney World resorts is going to help clear up some of your confusion. Read on as the Walt Disney World resort types are explained!

Disney’s Deluxe Resort Hotels

This guide introduces Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, a deluxe resort option at Disney World. — Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

The Deluxe resorts are Disney’s most luxurious resorts on property. These resorts are some of the most conveniently located places to stay in Disney World.

Check out the awesome features:

Nearby transportation that makes navigating Disney World easier
Multiple themed table-service restaurants at the resort
Signature dining onsite
Room Service available
A small, quick-service marketplace
Spacious rooms (larger than other resorts)
Best pool areas
Amazing theming all throughout the resort
Rooms are accessed inside the building
Balconies and patios in some rooms

The Deluxe Resorts are:

Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Let me just talk about the transportation for a moment. I think that the easy transportation from some of the Deluxe resorts is one of the big reasons to stay at one of these resorts.

Disney’s Contemporary, Disney’s Polynesian, and Disney’s Grand Floridian are all on the Monorail route. There is a Monorail station almost inside the resort with direct access to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot with one quick transfer. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has water taxi access right to Magic Kingdom.

Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club as well as Disney’s BoardWalk Inn are a quick walk to Epcot’s International Gateway. These deluxe resorts are also within walking distance to Hollywood Studios. Connecting these resorts and these two parks is also the Friendship Boats and the Skyliner.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is the only resort that doesn’t have a mode of quick transportation to a park. BUT, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge there are animals in the Savannah right outside your balcony. That’s pretty awesome!

Disney’s Deluxe Villas

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas with safari animals

The next resort category in this guide to Disney World resorts is the Deluxe Villas. At each of the deluxe resorts, a villa resort is attached. Disney’s Riviera, Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, and Old Key West Resort are stand-alone villa resorts. The villas are mainly for Disney Vacation Club but you can book rooms in these resorts when available. The villa resorts are fabulous for larger groups and families because they have 1, 2, and 3 bedroom suites, multiple bathrooms, living area, dining area, kitchen, washer, and dryer. The villas can use the resort pools, restaurants, and other amenities.

The Villa Resorts are:

Bay Lake Towers at Disney’s Contemporary
Boulder Ridge Villas and Copper Creek Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas–Jambo House and Kidani Village
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Disney’s Moderate Resorts

A guide to Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, a moderate category option at Disney World. — Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

The moderate resorts on Disney World property and a really nice middle of the road option. Moderate resorts are large, spread out resorts with some great features.

Some of the Moderate features:

Beautiful landscaping
Fun themes
Very nice pool areas
One table-service restaurant
Large, quick-service dining hall
Activities such as fishing, biking, etc.
Moderate sized rooms
Multiple bus stops
Enter rooms from outside (many smaller buildings make up resort)
Parking a little more convenient to your room as there are multiple parking lots
Convenient transportation to one or two parks or Disney Springs (except Coronado Springs)

The moderate resorts are:

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans–Riverside and French Quarter
Disney’s Coronado Springs
Cabins at Disney’s Ft. Wilderness Resort and Campground

Many guests really like this resort category. You feel like you are staying somewhere special but its not quite as expensive. Moderates have things to do at the resort that make a stay-and-play-day a bit more fun. It is also nice to have dining options at your resort. I especially love Disney’s Caribbean Beach because of the Skyliner access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Disney’s Value Resorts

A guide to Disney's Pop Century, a value resort that has a simple computer pool. — The Computer Pool at Disney’s Pop Century Resort

The last category in this guide to Disney World resorts is the Value Resorts. At Disney World, these are the least expensive option. This category is well-loved by families that are only looking for a place to sleep. They spend most of their time and the parks and the place to stay isn’t nearly as important. They want most their budget to go to the parks, dining and souvenirs and not where they lay their head.

Here are a few of the Value Resort features:

Spread out with multiple large buildings
Covered stairwells are outside the building and the entrance to the room is also outside (except at Art of Animation).
Larger than life outdoor
Pools are large but simple (no slides, small splash area).
Only a quick-service dining hall but it serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner so you won’t go hungry.
Rooms are simple without too much decor unless you are at Art of Animation.
One bus stop

The Value Resorts are:

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Pop Century Resort

If you have a larger family the value resorts might be a great option for you. The Art of Animation has quite a few family suites that have 1-bedroom/2 baths (not full) and sleep 6. The All-Star Music also has family suites that sleep 6.

The All-Start Resorts are quite far away from all of the parks and require bus transportation everywhere. Art of Animation and Pop Century are on the Disney Skyliner route. They were already the favorites of the value category but now they are going to be in even more demand. It will be important to book these early, especially during the busy times of year.

Well, I hope that helps you not be quite as confused about which type of resort would be best for your family. Have more questions? Want info to book a Disney World stay? Click the button above and contact me!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

5 Tips for Disney Bus Transportation

Disney bus transportation is a great benefit of staying on Disney property. You can get everywhere you want to go on Disney property and never have to drive yourself. You can even get to and from the airport on complimentary bus transportation. Read on for Disney bus transportation tips!

Bus transportation is not an option during Skyliner hours

Bus transportation from resorts on the Skyliner Route (Disney’s Caribbean Beach, Disney’s Pop Century, Disney’s Art of Animation and Disney’s Rivera) ends (or becomes very infrequent) when the Skyliner is running. In reality though, the Skyliner is a much better and faster option anyway.

Disney Springs or the Parks are hotel connection points

Buses do not run from resort to resort so some planning needs to be done if you want to go from your resort to another. Your options to get from your resort to another is to take a bus to Disney Springs or to a theme park. At that location, you can switch buses in order to get to the desired resort (Disney Springs is the longer option). Be aware, getting from one resort to another takes quite a bit of time (allow 1.5 hours).

Buses run 60-90 minutes before park opens and closes

This is especially important to know if you have dining reservations at another resort. If you have a late-night reservation you will have to connect through Disney Springs because the buses will not be going to the parks.

Different resorts have a different number of stops inside the resort

Disney bus transportation tips about remembering the name of your bus stop.

Value resorts have only one bus stop outside the main building. Deluxe resorts usually just have one because they also have other transportation provided from the resort. Moderate and larger resorts (Old Key West and Saratoga Springs) have many throughout the grounds. Check your resort map to find the closest stop to your room. You also might want to ask where the first stop might be. On busy mornings it might be best for you to go to the first stop to catch the bus as it might fill up before your closest stop. Also, find out the name of your stop so you know where to get off when it is dark.

Take the bus to Magic Kingdom even if you have a car

Buses take you right to the Magic Kingdom entrance. If you go by car you park outside the Ticket and Transportation Center then have to take a ferry or the Monorail to the entrance. Taking the bus can be quite a bit faster.

That was the last of my Disney bus transportation tips. Now for a little information about how the buses might have changed since you were last at Disney.

New Bus Safety Measures

Hand sanitizer at every bus stop
Markers on ground to help social distancing
Bus driver directs guest to correct zone to sit through both doors
Zones are divided by partitions and unavailable seats
Drivers are wiping down surfaces after guests
Guests in wheelchairs or ECV’s wait in the same queue

Many Disney World guests either love the bus transportation or not. What about you, love it or leave it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Disney Baby Care Centers–Not Just for Babies

The Baby Care Center at Disneyland saved our bacon on one of our trips. We had forgotten sunscreen and our very pale Alaskan children would have burnt to a crisp. We headed to the Baby Care Center and sure enough, they had the perfect sunscreen that lasted us our whole trip.

What are Disney Baby Care Centers

Each Disney Park has a Baby Care Center to serve their guests. In the Disney Baby Care Centers, you are met by kind, compassionate Cast Members ready to help as best they can. The Baby Care Center include the following services:

Private nursing room with rocking chairs
Changing room with tables and a women’s restroom
Feeding area with highchairs
Kitchen with microwave and sink
Main room with television, table and seating
On-site shop offering formula, baby food, juice, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, over-the-counter medications and clothing for purchase

Who can visit a Disney Baby Care Center

The Disney Baby Care Centers are open to people of all ages. It is a great place to take your young children when they just need a moment away from all the action. This facility is a quiet, peaceful area. If you have a toddler, preschooler, or older child who is on the verge of a meltdown you might want to head here. A couple of minutes sitting reading a book, quietly eating a snack, or watching a movie might be just what they need to recharge.

As an adult, even I have appreciated walking in to this area just for a couple of minutes to reorient my mind and body. Some of them have a couple of chairs at the entrance for an adult to rest for a short time. Adults without children have to make their visit relatively quick unless its a slow day.

Be aware–once in a while there is another child who is having a hard time and so it might not be completely quiet.

Where are the Baby Care Centers

This blog is mainly going to focus on Disney World because I don’t have photos of the ones at Disneyland. But, both Disneyland and California Adventure have these services and the features at Disneyland are very similar to those at Disney World.

Disneyland: The Baby Care Center is at the end of Main Street closest to the castle. Go back behind the Main Stree Photo Company (the last building on the right) toward the Plaza Inn and you will find the door.

California Adventure: At California Adventure the Baby Care Center is more toward the back of the park. It is inbetween the Pacific Wharf and Cars Land right next to the Ghiradelli Ice Cream Shop.

Magic Kingdom

You will find the Magic Kingdom Baby Care Center at the end to the path in between Casey’s Corner and the Crystal Palace Restaurant. If you are on Main Street looking at the Castle, Casey’s Corner is the last building on the left.

Epcot

At Epcot the Baby Care Center is located more in the middle of the park. The Baby Care Center is in the same building as the Epcot Experience. If you are near Test Track you can take the bridge (toward the Mexico Pavillion) across the water to the building. If you are walking from Mexico toward the main bridge to Future World the building is on the right .

Hollywood Studios

The Baby Care Center at Hollywood Studios is probably the smallest of the bunch. This center is right at the front of the park. Just after you enter it will be on your left hand side. It is a little less convenient because you have to go through Guest Relations to get in.

Animal Kingdom

The Baby Care Center at Animal Kingdom is a little farther into the park on Discovery Island. After entering the park head toward Discovery Island (go toward the Tree of Life). Once you get there you will head to the left toward Pandora and Africa. Pass the trail to Pandora and the Baby Care Center will be down a little path in the building between Creature Comforts and the Disney Vacation Club Booth.

I think that this was my favorite of all the Baby Care Centers. It was spacious, well-stocked, and had the most calming atmosphere. There was also an awesome cast member here to help guests.

You also might be interested in this great resource:

Have you visited a Baby Care Center at Disney World? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

5 Ways to Start Your Disney Day in Style!

Getting your day off to a good start often sets the tone for your whole day. No one wants a bad day at Disney! Let’s explore 5 ways to make your morning great and get your day headed in a magical direction!

And now, 5 ways to start your Disney day in STYLE!

1) Mickey Waffles

Why not start your morning off right with a yummy, filling breakfast. Nothing will get your family focused on Mickey Mouse and Disney magic more than eating Mickey Waffles for breakfast. You will find these special waffles at all the table service restaurants that serve breakfast. Plus, value and moderate resorts will have these as options on their quick service breakfast menu. Guess what! You don’t even have to be staying at the resort to eat there. Feel free to stop on your way to the park.

2) Character Breakfast

This is taking Mickey Waffles to a whole ‘nother level! At a Character Breakfast not only will you get to feast on a delicious breakfast, including Mickey Waffles if you desire, but you also get to see your favorite Disney Characters. Character breakfasts are only at Table-Service restaurants and you must have advanced reservations.

Different Table-Service restaurants have different characters you will see. 1900 Park Fare (Grand Floridian) will have Princesses. Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom) will have Winnie the Pooh and Friends. Lilo and Stitch will show up at O’hana’s (Polynesian). Chef Mickey’s will, of cours, have Mickey Mouse and Friends. There are quite a few other Character Breakfast possibilties. Talk with your Travel Advisor about which one might be the most fun for your family.

**Important Info: As of Summer 2020 the only Character Breakfasts available are at Topolino Terrace (Riviera Resort) and The Garden Grill Restaurant (Epcot). The Characters dance around the restaurant and wave and occasionally slow down for a far away selfie. Unfortunately, they will not sign autographs or pose with you. Other Character Dining will be opening up as time goes on. Talk with your Travel Advisor to keep updated.

3) Rope Drop

Rope Drop is such an awesome way start to your morning. It takes a little planning and sometimes work to get everyone out the door early but, TRUST ME, it will be so worth it!

Rope Drop is getting to the park before it even opens. The idea is to be through health screenings, security and the gate well before the park opens. You will want to make your way as far as possible into the park until you see the Cast Members with ropes holding you back from the rest of the park.

What’s the benefit of this? Crowds are lowest at this point of the day (FYI, sometimes new rides can upset this plan). If you are waiting halfway in the park, think how much closer you are to the rides. Using this method you can often ride most of your favorite rides within a couple hours and not have to wait in long lines.

When is this strategy really important? This strategy is most important during really crowded times–holidays and summer. Get your day started off right, ride your favorite rides and then you can relax the rest of the day enjoying the other wonderful activities in the park. Or you can take a break during the hottest and most crowded time of the day.

4) Minnie Van

How much better would your morning be if you didn’t have to fight the crowds to get on a bus, or have to walk a mile through the parking lot to get to the park entrance. Minnie Van to the rescue!

A Minnie Van (not actually just vans) can be scheduled to pick you up at any Resort and drop you off at any Park you choose. There is an additional fee but if just might be worth it to your family to get your day started off right!

Minnie Vans are scheduled through the Lyft app. Enter in Walt Disney World as a destination, select Minnie Van and continue from there. This is such a great way to start your Disney day in style!

5) VIP Private Tours

Now this is the absolute ultimate way to start off your Disney day in STYLE! This is a very expensive option but, OH MY GOODNESS! Would you have a blow-your-mind-awesome day!

First, there is the ultimate VIP Private Tour. You (and 6-9 of your favorite friends or family members) can have a Cast Member Guide you through all your favorite, must-do rides and attractions for the number of hours you wish. Often they will guide you up to the front of the line for those rides as they dazzle you with little known facts and knowledge about the parks. They are ready to answer every question and make just about every wish come true.

Then there are the VIP experiences that are already planned out. Still AMAZING but not tailored to your group and a little less expensive. You might spend a few hours riding all our favorite Disney Classics. Or spend a heart-pumping, thrill-seeking 7 hours riding major rides at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot AND Hollywood Studios. Can you imagine! Every big ride in 3 parks. Normally just the travel alone between 3 parks would take an hour and a half. What a day!!

No matter which VIP tour you choose you will definitely have a Supercalifragilistic kind of day you will always remember!

Important Info: As of Summer 2020 only the VIP Private Tours are taking Reservations. The other tour options will be available in the future.

Do you have a favorite way to start off your Disney Day? Let me know in the comments below!

If you have any questions or would like help planning your Disney day contact me! I would love to help! tamara@alaskatomickey.com or (907) 952-7055

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Other links you might be interested in :