Epcot Archives - Alaska to Mickey

Animal Kingdom April 23, 2021

Make Disney World Extra Magical with a VIP Tour

Don't get stuck in the crowd when you book a Disney World VIP Tour! — Don’t get stuck in the crowds! Book a Disney World VIP Tour!

Disney World is a very magical place to vacation! There is excitement around every corner. But, there is a way to make your day at Disney World even more magical! When you are on one of the Disney World VIP tours you will definitely feel like all your dreams are coming true! A Disney World VIP tour is also fantastic for your family group. Read on and learn how you can make your Disney World day extra magical on a VIP Tour!

What is a VIP Tour

Disney VIP Tours are actually available at both Disney World and Disneyland. There a a lot of similarities between the two parks but you will want to double-check the Disneyland info on their tours. This article focuses on Disney World VIP Tours.

A Disney VIP tour is an upgrade to your park experience that will make your visit unforgettable. VIP tours are private guided tours customized for maximum guest enjoyment and efficiency. Tour guides are hand-picked and expertly trained to plan out the perfect Disney World itinerary. So, you don’t have to think about getting to your next activity, know the best route from one place to another, stand in long lines, or just generally waste precious time in your day.

A tour can have up to 10 guests. This is perfect for a couple of families to tour together and divide up the cost of the tour.

Types of VIP Tours

Private VIP Tour

This is the most amazing, most magical, most customized tour option (and the only one currently available to book) for your group. When you book a tour, you set the Disney VIP Tour Services team in motion to plan for your group the best and most efficient tour based on the list of activities you want to do. Yes! They customize your day based on your desires and favorites. Transportation from park to park, if you so choose, is all by private vehicle. No waiting for buses! Your tour guide is at your service for the day!

Some personalizations they include:

Itinerary all planned for you before you get there
A flexible start time that fits your family’s schedule
A highly knowledgable VIP Tour Guide ready to divulge all kinds of Disney tips, tricks, and fascinating information.
Often less wait time for attractions

Cost: $425-$750/hour depending on season (minimum of 7 continuous hours)

The following tours are not currently available to book but hopefully will return soon

Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour

This 7-hour tour visits all Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios taking guests on the most hair-raising rides at Disney World. Your VIP Tour Guide plans out the itinerary to get you on the most amount of rides for maximum enjoyment for the day. Here’s what awesome rides you might get to enjoy (this list is just a sample your VIP Tour guide might have a better plan):

Magic Kingdom: All 4 Mountains, Haunted Mansion and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Epcot: Soarin
Hollywood Studios: Slinky Dog Dash, Toy Story Mania, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and Star Wars–The Adventure Continues.

A stop at a quick service restaurant will fuel you at lunchtime for the rest of your day.

Cost: $349/person + tax (required park ticket must be purchased separately)

Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour

The Disney Classics VIP Tour focuses on the classic park of the Magic Kingdom. Your Disney VIP Tour Guide plans the perfect 4-hour itinerary to visit many of the classic rides at the Magic Kingdom. With your Guide leading the way you can just relax, and enjoy the rides. Since these rides do not have a height requirement this is a terrific tour if you have young children along.

Some rides you might get to enjoy are Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Haunted Mansion, “it’s a small world”, Jungle Cruise, Mad Tea Party, Peter Pan’s Flight, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Under the Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid.

Cost: $249/person + tax (Magic Kingdom park ticket must be purchased separately)

Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour

You are going to love this tour centered around the wonders of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. On this 4-hour tour your Disney VIP Tour Guide has planned a journey through the Animal Kingdom so that you will get on all the best rides. This tour starts 4 hours before the evening Rivers of Light performance which will end your tour (if there is a performance that night).

What might you get to experience? Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Avatar Flights of Passage, Na’vi River Journey, and DINOSAUR.

This tour also includes signature snacks and a specialty beverage. Yum!

Cost: $249/person + tax (Animal Kingdom park ticket must be purchased separately)

Taste of Magic Kingdom VIP Tour

This tour is the most delicious Disney World VIP Tour!! During this 3-hour tour, you will get to taste the best of the Magic Kingdom. Your Disney VIP Tour Guide will bring you behind the scenes to some of the kitchens of your favorite restaurants to meet the talented chefs. You’ll hear stories of how the delicious menus are created and the process of how they serve so many guests each day.

Then, of course, there will be tastings, tastings, tastings curated especially for you!

Cost: $99/person + tax (park admission must be purchased separately) Guests must be at least 16 years old for this tour.

Here are some things to keep in mind with the Ultimate VIP Tours

Tours start a specific time (late arrivals cannot join the tour later).
Rider Switch is not available on the tours.
Itinerary may change but you can ask for an expected itinerary when you book your tour.
Price is subject to change.
Guests with wheelchairs or ECV can be accomodated.
Guests under 17 must be accompanied by paying parent or guardian.

Disney World VIP Tours can truly make your day at Disney World so much more magnificent and magical. If you have any questions about adding a VIP tour to your Disney World experience please contact me.

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Here are some other articles you might enjoy reading:

Disney World June 1, 2020

6 Unusual Things to Love at EPCOT

Are you someone who likes to go off the beaten path? Do you like to blaze your own trail? Then today’s post might be just for you. Wait, you say! I like to stick to the normal stuff. Okay, for those of you who stick to the popular attractions let me encourage you to try something new.

Here we go! 5 unusual things to love at EPCOT!

1) Garden Railway at the Germany Pavilion

As you walk from the Italy Pavillion just before you arrive at the Germany Pavillion you will see a little path go off to the right. Take this little path, the Romantic Road, from the tiny town of Wurzburg to Fusser. Along the way view the miniature mid-century Bavarian town, landscaping, and Lehmann Gross Bahn trains. The gentle movement of the train through the village is quite mesmerizing. Remember, there is a lot more park to see so don’t stay all day.

2) Bijutsu-kan Gallery

Deep in the heart of the Japan Pavillion is the Bijutsu-kan Gallery. You will be delighted to find a very fun and cute exhibit called Kawaii: Japan’s Cute Culture. This small gallery will introduce you to the part of Japanese culture that celebrates “cute” in every facet of life through an “apartment” display. Learn how it is rooted in their Shinto past and brought forth to today. What a great way to take a few minutes away from the busyness of the park and enjoy a little sweetness!

3) Baguettes at Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie

The baguettes at Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie are a delicious but unusual thing to love at Epcot. — Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie in the France Pavillion

Take a walk all the way throught the France Pavillion, under the archway, past the quaint cafe seating to the wonderful quick-service French bakery, Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie. As you stand in the generally long line eyeing all the wonderful selections (Don’t worry, drooling is normal!) you are actually thankful for the time to make the tough decisions. I am not usually swayed from my objective, a whole chewy delicious baguette, butter and a Coke. At least a couple times during my trip will this be my lunch (and inexpensive too!). Just thinking about these baguettes has me longing to go back!

4) Bruce the Shark

????? you say! Hear me out. You will find Bruce the Shark after riding The Seas with Nemo and Friends (I love this ride!). After exiting the ride you enter SeaBase. This area is full of live sea creatures in one of the largest man-made ocean environments on the planet and many interactive learning displays. But, my kids always gravitate toward Bruce the Shark and the simple play area that surrounds him. No matter what their age my kids always take a turn getting a picture. This is also a great place to wait for my #5 pick.

5) Turtle Talk w/ Crush

Turtle Talk with Crush is one of the highlights of every trip. This isn’t so unusual but is often overlooked. You will find the entrance to Turtle Talk with Crush inside SeaBase (on the left after you exit The Seas with Nemo and Friends). Since this is a show you might have to wait a few minutes until the next show. This is a very family-friendly activity that is accessible to all. As you go in the children will be directed to sit on the floor in the front (if they would like) and the accompanying adults may sit on the benches. There is lots of room so you shouldn’t have to wait more than one show unless it is really busy. The show is hosted by Crush and he loves to talk with the audience through his special Hydraphone. Each show is so unique Such fun!

Bonus Thing to love:) Gran Fiesta Tour

Like #5 the Gran Fiesta Tour is not too unusual of a thing to love at Epcot since it is one of the rides but because it is hidden inside the Mexico Pavillion it can often be forgotten. I am a sucker for a gentle boat ride with lots of fun, colorful, entertaining displays. This is a great ride on a hot day when you want to spend a little time out of the sweltering heat. After you ride you might want to peruse all of the souvenirs from Mexico.

So what is your favorite unusual thing to do or see at Epcot. Let me know in the comments!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Disney World Skyliner Tips and Tricks

In March I was able to ride the Disney Skyliner. It was so so so AWESOME!! I loved the Disney Skyliner so much and now I want to share with you some of the things that I learned to make the experience even better for you. On to some Disney World Skyliner tips and tricks!

Disney Skyliner tips — Disney’s Skyliner over Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Click here for a map of the Skyliner

A Quick Overview

Disney’s Skyliner is a gondola “ride” that connects quite a few resorts with Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Let me give you a quick list of the connections:

Epcot to Disney’s Riveria Resort (12 minutes–you do not have to get off) to Disney’s Caribbean Beach (4 minutes)
Disney’s Caribbean Beach to a station between Disney’s Pop Century and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (5 minutes)
Hollywood Studios to Disney’s Caribbean Beach (5 minutes)

If you look at the map you can see the theme parks are the end of the line and Disney’s Caribbean Beach is a hub. The travel times are approximate.

Disney’s Skyliner Caribbean Beach Station

Disney’s Skyliner International Gateway Station

Disney Skyliner tips for Hollywood Studios station — Disney’s Skyliner Hollywood Studios Station

Disney’s Skyliner Pop Century/Art of Animation Station

Now for my Disney World Skyliner tips and tricks to help you navigate this awesome new form of transportation throughout the Disney World Resort!

Stay at a Resort on the Skyliner Route!

If you are going to spend much time at Epcot or Hollywood Studios I highly recommend staying at a resort that has a Skyliner station nearby.

Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (Jamaica is the closest village to Caribbean Beach Station and Aruba is very close to Riviera Station)
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation

The Skyliner makes transportation to these parks so slick and easy! Lines move very quickly and so most of the time you are able to board without much waiting. Travel time to the parks is so much quicker than taking the bus. A couple of my later tips also support why I think it’s a good idea to stay at a resort serviced by the Skyliner.

Things to remember: 1) Buses to Epcot and Hollywood Studios run much less frequently to/from Skyliner resorts. 2) The Skyliner begins running at 7:30 AM. The ride is quick and if you are in line earlier than opening you should be able to make it into Hollywood Studios by 8 AM. But, if you have an early time commitment an alternate transportation method might be better. I did take the Skyliner from Caribbean Beach and was just able to make it for the Rise of the Resistance Virtual Queue booking.

Try Different Restaurants!

The Skyliner makes it so easy to try different restaurants. Now, you probably don’t want to hop from quick service to quick service but for table service restaurants the Skyliner is amazing. No longer do you have to worry about bus transportation to get you to your reservation on time. Plus, the Ample Hills Creamery (Disney’s BoardWalk Inn) and the take-out counter at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club) are a great place for some yummy ice cream.

Restaurants on the Skyliner route at which you do not need a park ticket:

Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Rivera Resort–Character dining for breakfast and Signature dining for dinner
Sebastians’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Beach
Yachtsman Steakhouse, Cape May Cafe, Ale and Compass Restaurant and Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club
Flying Fish, ESPN Club, Big River Grille & Brewing Works, and Trattoria al Forno (character breakfast) at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.
The Swan and Dolphin (only a few minutes walk from Disney’s BoardWalk Inn) have quite a few fantastic dining options but they are not included in the Disney Dining Plan

Ride the Skyliner Just to Ride the Skyliner!

It is such a peaceful ride and the scenery is fantastic! I loved seeing the Epcot ball in the distance and overlooking the construction for the France expansion. Check out these views!

Skyliner view of Hollywood Studios buses small

Ask for a Gondola Without a Wrap

This is probably my #1 Disney World Skyliner tip! The graphics on the outside of the gondolas are super cute, on the outside. But, from the inside, the wrap obscures the view. Just ask the cast member directing guests if you can wait for a clear gondola. You might have to wait for a moment (at busy times they may not be able to honor your request) but they will usually try and accommodate. And, trust me, the view will be worth the wait!

Gondola with wrap–cute on the outside but not as good from the inside.

My number one Disney World Skyliner tip is to ask for a gondola without the wrap. — Gondola without wrap–boring outside but great viewing from inside

Take the Skyliner to Hollywood Studios to Catch Buses

If you want to go from one resort to another you must first take a bus to a theme park or Disney Spring. A quicker way to get to a resort is to take the Skyliner to Hollywood Studios and then head over to the bus stop that will take you to the desired resort. Since a lot of my time in March was spent looking at different resorts I used this trick a few times and it worked out pretty slick. I think this feature makes traveling around the Walt Disney World Resort just a bit easier.

This tip does not always work from the Epcot station! Epcot’s Skyliner Station is located outside the International Gateway (near the World Showcase). The buses are all the way on the other side of Epcot so, you must have been to Epcot that day or have a Park Hopper to walk through the park.

Enjoy Your Traveling Companions

Each gondola will hold up to 10 passengers. Strollers and wheelchairs can roll directly on. If your party is small you will most likely have company with you. I know it is easy to just remain quiet and just watch the scenery go by. But you might be pleasantly surprised if you try and begin a conversation. I learned some good tips from fellow travelers and was able to give some of my own to others.

Don’t Panic When the Gondola Stops

I know that everyone has heard the nightmare story of how the Skyliner broke down for hours just after it first opened. But, you need not worry or avoid taking the Skyliner. Most of the time the gondola stops is because cast members have to help someone on that needs an extra moment. Stops happen quite a bit en route but 95% of the time you start back up in just a moment or two.

Too Hot? Open the Windows!

Inside each gondola is a handle above your heads and below your feet that open up the windows. Open windows greatly increase airflow as you move along. As you turn the corner to/from Epcot it is really interesting to feel how the breeze changes inside the gondola. Conversely, if you happen to be cold feel free to close the vents.

Do you have a Disney World Skyliner tip or trick you would like to share? I would love to hear them and learn something new. Just comment below!

Happy travels to you…until we meet again!

Some other blog posts you might be interested in reading:

Disney World vs. Disney Cruise Line? Which is best for my family?
A Guide to Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival
Celebrate the Holidays at Disney World (It’s time to think about Christmas travel)

Disney World April 13, 2020

Welcome to the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

In March, I was able to spend some time at Disney World. Spending time at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival has been a dream of mine for quite some time so I was thrilled when I realized that my planned trip coincided with this festival. Woohoo! I am so excited to share some pictures (well, quite a few actually) with you to give you a glimpse of Epcot during this time.

Explore the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

What’s the Flower and Garden Festival all about?

The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival celebrates the beauty of flowers, plants and farm-fresh foods. Master gardeners plan all year to magically transform Epcot with beautiful topiaries, garden play areas, landscaping masterpieces and beautiful floral displays. This year (and maybe every year) there was a butterfly garden for visitors to learn about and enjoy the lives of butterflies. You might even have one land upon your head!

When is the Flower and Garden Festival?

Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival runs every year from the beginning of March through the end of May (sometimes a tad into June).

What’s new during the festival?

Amazing topiaries of Disney characters
Beautiful floral arrangements
Rest and play area gardens
Inventive/very creative landscaping
Garden scavenger hunt ($6.99 for map)
Easter egg hunt of Disney themed egg (during the couple weeks before Easter–$6.99 for map)
Guided tours of the gardens and the planning behind the beauty (additional cost)

Click here for a full list of the topiaries and gardens!

Let’s not forget the food!

Outdoor kitchens are another important part of the Flower and Garden Festival. You will find all different kinds of foods focusing on the delicious flavors of farm-fresh specialties. Enjoy flavors from around the world and local cuisines (such as yummy citrus and honey). These cute little booths dot the perimeter of the World Showcase Lagoon. Below are some pictures of a couple of the booths. You can see the 2020 menus here but every year you are treated to something different.

French food booth at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival — Delicous snacks in France

Serving up yummy honey snacks was open the next day.

Plant-based selections from Impossible Foods

Pictures from Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2020

Topiaries at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival — Bo Peeps Play Area over by the Test Track

A lovely garden play/rest area on the way to the World Showcase

Beautiful flower garden at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival — A garden on the way to the World Showcase

See Tigger and Friends in the England Pavillion

Each animal of the Zodiak was crafted out of beans and seeds. So fascinating!

Butterflies lead the way to the Butterfly Pavillion

Inside the butterfly pavillion at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival — Encounter hundreds of butterflies and learn about their life cycle.

One more thing–The Music!

Get your groove on in the American Garden Theater at the American Pavillion with the Garden Rocks Concert Series. Below is a schedule of the 2020 concert series. Each year has different performers and they schedule sometimes changes during the festival.

Rick Springfield — April 19 and 20
Christopher Cross — April 21 through 23
Plain White T’s — April 24 through 27
Don Felder – Formerly of The Eagles — April 28 through 30
Don McLean — May 1 and 2
Casting Crowns — May 3 and 4
Ambrosia with Peter Beckett — May 5 through 7
Thelma Houston — May 8 and 9
The Allman Betts Band – -May 10 and 11
Air Supply — May 12 through 14
Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone — May 15 through 18
Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot — May 19 through 21
Claudia Leitte — May 22 and 23
Daughtry — May 24 and 25
Marshall Tucker Band — May 26 through 28
Crowder — May 29 and 30
Survivor — May 31 and June 1

Want to guarantee great seats for the concert? Book a Garden Rocks Dining Package! Dining is available at the Biergarten Restaurant, The Coral Reef Restaurant, The Garden Grill Restaurant, or the Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room. There is an additional cost or you can use 2 Table Service credits. With the package, you are able to choose one of three concert times for the evening. When you arrive at the concert you will be escorted to your special seats. What a great way to rock the night away!

Well, I hope that your imagination is brimming with excitement to see the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival for yourself someday. It was a fantastic visit for me and I am sure it will be for you too!