WDW Tips

Those of you who know me and know my obsession with Disney understand that the one thing that I still have not done at the Magic Kingdom is be the Grand marshal for the 3pm parade. When you are grand marshall you ride at the begining of the parade and they announce the “Graham family from Biloxi, MS” as you go by.
Soooo, for our trip in September I had t-shirts made which said ” Caden’s 1st Trip to Walt Disney World, September 2006″ They had a graphic of the Fab 5 in tourist garb. All five of us (me, Jim, John, Ariane, and Caden) all wore this shirt our morning at the Magic Kingdom. Now I had read several reviews of people who had been asked to be grand marshal before and had planned out how to best put us in position to be asked. #1 we ate a light meal at the bakery approximatly 45 minutes after the opening rush, # We had matching shirts, and # we had a “hook” (small child, 1st trip)
So we are eating our pasteries at the bakery when I notice a castmember outside on Main St watching guests go by. When we walked out she came over to us and asked about our shirts. When I tell you I was about to come out of my skin, that is an understatement. She asked about Caden’s 1st trip and if it was more than just his 1st trip. She then asked us where we were from. I stated that we were from Biloxi, MS. She then said, ” I hope you guys have a great day.” OMG! We got rejected. I suppose I could have played the “katrina card” and maybe that would have helped us. I was so disappointed especially when I realize how close we were to realizing my dream. However, I do know what worked and what didn’t and I know for sure that I will be grand marshal some trip here soon!

Here are a few helpful resouces that you should use when planning a trip to disney:

allearsnet.com This site is run by Deb Wills and probably is the most comprehensive site out there. This site can answer pretty much any question you might have concerning your upcoming trip to WDW

passporter.com This site is run by Dave and Jennifer Marx. I have (or had) a copy of their guide book for the past 6 years. This is also a must have for anyone planning a trip to Disney. They also have a Cruise line and Disneyland edition of the passporter. I personally recommend the Deluxe version. I basically use it by itself when we travel to WDW.

Mousesavers.com This site is one which you should sign up to receive the newsletters. Some of the best codes I have ever used at Disney I have gotten from this site. She also keeps you updated on any great airfare prices to Orlando and disney shopping.

mouseplanet.com This is also a great weekly site for new info on the “world”

The 11th annual food and wine festival is underway at EPCOT. I have only attended this event once (in 2005) but I really enjoyed it. It has only been in the past few years that I have actually begun to drink wine and this event allows you to sample many different cuisines and wines without having to spend a great deal of money.

The event is held at EPCOT thoughout the month of October. They have 20+ stations set up around World Showcase with different nations represented. The normal “host” nations all have booths, as well as other nations which are not usually represented at EPCOT. The food at the booths range from appetizer type foods, desserts, and a native wine or alcoholic beverage. The cost for the sample size of the food or wine ranges from $1 to $4. It is very easy to “eat and drink” your way around the world.

They also have several seminars with famous chefs or wine tastings which I did not participate in last year.

This is the sister event to the Flower and Garden Festival which is held each spring.

I have stayed at just about every level of Disney accomodations. When I was younger we always brought my grandparents camper trailer down to Orlando and stayed at Ft. Wilderness. I don’t specifically remember much from those trips, but I do have a fond memory type of thing. Those trips are the reason I love the “world” now.
My return trips to Disney started in 1992 when my high school band participated in the Magic Music Days. We stayed at Carribean Beach Resort. At that time Disney had just begun to go into the more “value” market of hotels. I enjoyed my trip but hey… what do you really know about hotels at 17?

For my first trip as an adult, Jim and I stayed at the All Star Sports. To tell you the truth we loved the hotel at the time. However our first trip consisted of non-stop park hopping. We were barely at the room for anything. Also at that time there was no way we could afford anything other than counter service meals, so the All Stars fit us perfectly. I can remember that somehow we ended up at the Beach Club (I was trying to get us from EPCOT to the Studios without having to go back to the front entrance of EPCOT) and we made a comment about how #1 we would probably never be able to afford to stay there and #2 why would ANYONE spend that much money on a hotel when you were never there?

For our trip in 1999 we again stayed at the All Stars. Jim was attending classes and we only spent 2 days onsite.

In 2000 we moved up a level and stayed at Dixie Landings (now Port Orleans-Riverside). We were amazed at what a difference 1 level made. We no longer had to wait in HUGE lines at the end of the night to get on the bus. They actually had bell services that were at the front entrance to assist you. There were not as many children as well. We stayed on the Mansion side and realized that for just a few more $$$ each night we got a much more enjoyable time.

In 2001, we began our venture in bringing people with us to Disney. This year we took Jim’s paternal grandmother (the one who lives with us) and his mom. We had 1 room booked at Carribean Beach. We arrived later in the evening and were surprised to see a wait to check in. When I finally got to the counter they explained that they were overbooked and we were being upgraded to a Deluxe hotel. Ironically I choose the Beach Club. I can tell you it was love at first sight when we arrived there. They have fresh flowers in the lobby, the entrance to the rooms are indoors, and we discovered the ease of walking to Epcot. The pool at the Beach Club is amazing and it just felt so nice to be staying there. In retrospect I don’t think we would have done very well with 4 adults in 1 room at Carribean Beach; it was crowded in the room at the Beach Club.

We took a spur of the moment trip in July 2002 and stayed at the All Stars. We were only there for 2 nights and for the quickness of the planning (We deceided 1 week before the go) and the time (4th of July weekend) we were lucky to get at room at all. This has turned out to be the last time we have stayed at a value.

In 2002 we made our largest group trip to date. We traveled with my parents, my paternal grandparents, and my great aunt. Jim and I arrived a day before everyone else and I surprised him with a room at the Contemperary. We had a Tower room with a Magic Kingdom view. It was increadible. Although we only were there for 1 night we really enjoyed the convenience of catching the monorail to get either to the MK or the TTC. Since we had connecting reservations, Disney moved our luggage to our next accomodations. We had a 2 bedroom villa at Old Key West. The accomodations were perfect for the size of our party. Jim and I had the Master bedroom which had a king bed, my grandparents and aunt shared the other bedroom which had 2 double beds, and my parents slept on the fold out bed. We had a washer and dryer, full size stove, fridge, and microwave. My grandfather had difficulty climbing stairs so we had requested a bottom level room. We had a patio which was on the lake and had ducks which visited us every morning. Since we were at Disney on the 1 year anniversary of 9/11 and tourism was still struggling we got an incredible deal on the rate. It was perfect room for the size of our group.

In 2003 Jim and I made several trips with our annual passes. We stayed at Carribean Beach and Port Orleans-Riverside (former Dixie Landings). I don’t know if it was because our previous two trips we had stayed at Deluxe accomodations, but we were underwhelmed by both hotels. Although we were not ready to commit to paying for a Deluxe every trip, I just don’t know if the moderates were holding the same luster as they once had.

In 2004 Jim and I celebrated out 10th anniversary a little late. We bit the bullet and reserved a room at the Boardwalk Inn. Ever since staying at the Beach Club we had wanted to stay at an EPCOT resort again. At check in we were once again surprised with an upgrade. We were given our gold room keys which gave us the most incredible concierge room. We were right on the Boardwalk above the Bakery overlooking the water. The room, the view and the amminties were unforgetable. It doesn’t matter how many times I have been back to Disney or what hotel I have stayed in, we consider that our hotel and our room. It almost made me think that concierge is worth the extra money (well, I am convinced, but I don’t think Jim is)

The only trip I was supposed to have taken in 2005 was an October trip with my sister in law. The agreement was for us to stay at a value hotel. I ended up making the reservations after Katrina and just could not bring myself to book a value. We ended up staying at Carribean Beach. I also make a trip by myself in which I stayed at Coronado Springs. It is a very nice hotel, but due to the large convention center it had more of a business feel that any other Disney resort I have stayed at.

In 2006 both trips I have stayed at Carribean Beach. My biggest complaint with CBR is the fact that the Custom House (check in/out) is located in a different location that the food/shopping. It is a very nice resort however. As far as moderates go it is about the only one I want to stay at. Since I pretty much refuse to stay at a value hotel now and can’t afford a deluxe every trip then, CBR will pretty much be my home when I am at the world.

Jim and I also agree that we really enjoy the Epcot hotels more than any other location. It is just so nice not having to wait for a bus to get to Epcot or the Studios. We spend probably 5 out of 8 nights at Epcot for dinner so being so close to Epcot is really convient for us.

A few places which are still on our list to try:
The Grand Floridian-the luxury of this hotel just seems so appealing. If and when I do stay here, it will probably be a split trip (half moderate/half deluxe) due to the cost

The Animal Kingdom Lodge-again don’t know if I will stay here for the entire time, but I have heard wonderful things about this hotel from other Disney fans

The Polynisian- I know this is also one of the original hotels, but I have heard great things about this one as well.

My annual passes expire today. This morning 1 year ago I was at the Magic Kingdom on a spur of the moment trip after Katrina. Jim had asked how long it would take me to drive to Orlando from Destin and after my response of 5 hours told me to book a room. I got off work on the 24th about 5pm and arrived in Orlando at midnight. I was there for park opening on the 25th. I love being at the parks by myself. Don’t get me wrong, I love being there with Jim and family and friends, but there is nothing like being there all by yourself. I can park hop to my hearts content. If I want to ride Pirates 15 times in a row, I can. If I want to just sit on a park bench and watch people go by and enjoy the feeling of just being there, well I can do that too.

I made the decision to not renew my AP’s based on 2 things, #1 I had spent too much money on our trip on “stuff” to be able to afford renewal for me and a brand new pass for jim and #2 if I got Jim an AP our dates would run out about 3 weeks apart. When we do go back (which I am hoping we make a quick 2 day trip at the begining of Dec) then I will get both of us AP’s.

This is the 2nd time I have had an annual pass and have managed to make 4 different trips on each pass. My breakeven point for the Premium Annual Pass is 13 days. This past time I got 15 days out of this trip. I didn’t use the additional parks as much as I probably should have. I didn’t go to a water park at all on any of those trips and I think I only went to Pleasure Island 4 times.

Sad, Sad day….

About a year ago Disney started the Photopass program.  Basically you any time your picture is taken by a Disney photographer they give you a credit card size card (or scan the one you already have).  All of your pictures from your entire trip are stored on that card.  You can either view them at the Camera Centers at any park or view them on-line once you get home.  You have 30 days once you register on line to buy the pictures.

While we were there Disney was also testing being able to add your ride photo to your photopass as well.  They were testing it on Test Track.

Once you register and view your pictures you are able to add borders or descriptions to your pictures.  The cost is $12.95 for a 5×7.  You can buy all of your pictures on a CD for $99.99 and it comes with a copywrite waiver which allows you to print them at home.

I purchased 2 of the pictures which were taken on our photopass.  We didn’t have many pictures taken on the photopass so it was not worth it for me to buy all of them.  I ordered them on Monday and they arrived today.

This program can only get better.  I imagine that Disney is selling many more pictures now than they ever did.  I know that in the past we would get the claim tickets for the pictures, but very seldom stopped to view them.  Add to it that you will soon be able to get ride photos as well this is a win/win situation.

Although I am not going to be there this year, I thought I would give a few thoughts on this event. I attended it in October of last year.

This is a seperate ticket event, the cost is around $35 for an adult. I was looking forward to the special parade and the special “Hallo-Wishes” fireworks. Unfortunatly for me last year I couldn’t seem to get away from hurricanes. The evening that I attended MNSSHP, was the night before a hurricane hit the Orlando area. We ended up being rained on most of the evening. We did get to see the parade, but due to the wet streets there was no headless horseman.It is his only appearance at any park at any time of the year. I was really looking forward to that. We also got to see the fireworks but in the rain so there was no witch flying from the castle to start them.

When you arrive at the MK for the event, you are handed a trick or treat bag. There are probably 15-20 stations throughout the park where you can trick or treat. This is not limited to kids, but after a while you begin to feel silly asking for candy. I had planned on dressing in costume for this event, but due to Katrina my costume was MIA. After passing through the turnstiles you are amazed at how quickly they can transform the MK. All the banners along Main Street are specific to the party as well as the lighting is orange and spooky. There are characters everywhere. I think that on normal nights (not the night before a hurricane, when it is raining non stop) the characters are more out in the hub and other public areas. We had to go to different locations which were indoors to find them. Most of the characters were dressed in costumes as well.

Included in your admission is a 5×7 picture with a MNSSHP background. They were very organized and it did not take us long at all to get our picture taken. It is mailed to you within a week or so.

All in all it was a great event. I think I would have enjoyed it even more if it had not been raining, I was dressed in a costume, and I had been able to see the headless horseman.

On a side note I also attended Universals Horror Nights while I was in Orlando on that trip. It is a very ADULT event and VERY SCARY, but it is awesome. All of the haunted houses are top notch and extremly scary. I would highly recommend this to anyone.

Disney has started a new program for young childrens (ages 2-6) which is primarily centered around the Magic Kingdom and the Studios.  We participated several things that both parks had to offer

At the Magic Kingdom they open the parks 1 hour early on a couple of days each week for the Magical Beginings. This is very similar to the extra magic hours that is offered on select days except only the attractions in Fantasyland are open.   They also have several characters out in Fantasyland, we saw Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Wendy just to name a few.  However these characters are not out for pictures or autographs.  They are playing ball or duck duck goose, etc.  Caden was able to play ball with Mickey.  It was pretty cool.  They characters also will ride the attractions with the kids.  We arrived at the Magic Kingdom at approx 8:30am and by 10:30 am we had eaten a quick breakfast and ridden everything including Dumbo.

At the Studios we ate at the new character breakfast at Hollywood and Vine. I had characters from the Little Einsteins and JoJo’s Circus.  We also saw the “special” guest show of Jason and the Sprites?  I had never heard of this show, but Ariane said she had seen it on TV before.  To be quite honest, it was not very good…even Caden was a little bored during the show.  That being said the Wiggles were there 2 days before we arrived, so they do have headliner type shows.

I highly recommend the magical beginings for anyone with a small child.  I especially enjoyed the Magic Kingdom part.  I know that this program is fairly new and I am sure Disney will be adding additional features to this program.

Jim and I ate here one night this past trip. I know that I commented on it in the dining post, but I wanted to expand on it a little more.

We did not have plans to eat here. We were shopping at DTD (Downtown Disney) and called WDW DINE that same day to get at reservation. We knew we were going to be going to the Adventure’s Club that evening so eating Downtown seemed like a good choice. We had a 7:30pm reservation and was seated immediatly. We had a good table near the stage. Our waitress was very attentive as was the manager. He came over to our table 2 or 3 times during our meal to make sure everything as ok.

Jim had a Boddinger’s draft and I had a very berry cosmo. If you have ever had a Sydney’s cosmo at Outback Steakhouse that is exactly what this drink tastes like. As far as starters I had the “Drunk Chicken” and we can’t remember what Jim had. For dinner Jim had the “It’s not bleeding chowder”which he enjoyed. It wasn’t quite what he expected and next time he said he is going to try the salmon. I was going to have the sirloin, but our waitress said that I could have steak anywhere and I should branch out. She brought me out a taste of the “Keen Eye for Shepard’s pie” for me to try and I ended up ordering it. Dessert consisted of the bread pudding and Bates Banger Badnoffi Beauty. The bread pudding was the better of the two but both were very good.

About half way through our dinner they had an Irish band which played. The music ranged from traditional Irish music to U2. They were quite entertaining.

Throughout the entire resturant there are signed pictures of famous Irish people. There are several signed pictures of the members of U2 and even an large oil painting of Bono. After dinner we were shopping in the gift shop and the associate told us the one of the owners is a cousin of Bono and the other owner invented Lazer Tag.

We really enjoyed our meal and will return

We were able to take advantage of the free Disney Dining Package on our most recent trip (Sept 3-10). In our early years of traveling to Disney, this would have been way more food than we have eaten on our own, plus it would have taken up precious park time. However, now we enjoy our dining experiences just as much as the park experience. Even at the $39/per person per day cost that the dining plan normally runs, this is a good value for us. It includes 1 counter service meal (entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic drink), 1 table service meal (1 appetizer, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic drink), and 1 snack option each day. Here is a run down of where we used our meals

Day 1 Arrival Day

Chef Mickey’s Contemporary Resort

Normal cost $26.99/per adult

VERY LOUD, but great atmosphere especially for the 2 1/2 year old. Food was good, but not really $27 worth

Day 2 Animal Kingdom/EPCOT

Lunch at Flame Tree BBQ- approx $25 for 2 adults
this is probably one of the best counter service meals in the resort. We eat here during each trip

Dinner L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante - Italy

My husband’s birthday dinner

Appetizer was the Antipasto All’Italiana and the Calamari

Dinner was Trittico di Pasta and the Alfredo Dinner ran about $200 for 4 adults and approx $90 of that was 2 bottles of wine.

Day 3 Disney Studios/Magic Kingdom

We had breakfast at Hollywood and Vine for the JoJo/Little Einstein’s breakfast.  This was part of the Magical Beginnings program and is a fairly new character meal.  Jim and I had never eaten here.  It was great for the 2 1/2 year old, but for a couple of DINKS (Dual Income, No Kids) we were clueless.  Again the cost is worth it ($26.99/per person) if there is a small child involved.

We did not have lunch plans finalized so we decided to take a bus to Saratoga Springs and walk to Downtown Disney Marketplace for lunch.  We ate at Earl of Sandwich. It was good, but since it is not owned by Disney the choices were a sandwich, drink, and dessert.  You could sub the dessert for chips or it is $1 extra to add chips with your sandwich.  The food was good and quick. The cost was approx $25 for 2 adults

Dinner was at the Magic Kingdom. We would have liked to eat at the Pirate and the Parrot in Adventureland, however it is usually not open when we are at the MK (it is opened seasonally) we chose to eat at Pecos Bill.  We were actually the last people to be served before they closed. We arrived right before 8pm and the closed shortly after we ordered.  My brother-in-law ended up with 4 hamburgers because they were getting rid of all the food. We have eaten here several times, and no time has it been great. It is just your run of the mill theme park counter service. Dinner was approx $30 for 2 adults

Day 4 Magic Kingdom

We had some pastries at the Main Street Bakery which were huge and very filling. It was approx $12 for 2 pastries and 2 cokes.

Lunch was at the Crystal Palace. This is also another location which we had never eaten.  I am not a huge Winnie the Pooh fan and have never really had a reason to eat here.  The cost was the usual character meal ($26.99/per person) and the food was very good.  It was not super busy in the restaurant and we saw all of the characters several times.

Dinner was just stadium food at the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater.  We had hot dogs, a pretzel, and popcorn. The cost was about $15.

Day 5-Downtown Disney/Pleasure Island

The other members of our group was leaving this day and did not have park passes so we made the choice to eat at downtown Disney once again (they had one more counter service left on their package). We ate at Wolfgang Puck Express.  The food was excellent.  They only problem was there were certain items on the limited menu which were not available on the Disney dining plan. The cost for these items was $1 more, but yet you could order a desert which was $2 more than the others.

Dinner we ate at Raglan Road.  This was a spur of the moment choice.  We didn’t have dining reservations until that afternoon. I had read some not so favorable reviews, but we found it really good. Our service was great, the food was good, and there was a live band which started shortly after we sat down.  This is one place which has been added to the “must eat at” on our next trip.  On a side note we could tell that they had had some problems with service in the restaurant. The manager must have made 3 or 4 stops to make sure everything was ok.  Also because they are not owned by Disney, they only allow $27.50 per person for the dining plan. This does not affect what you can order but it does affect the servers since their tip is included into that price.  We had ordered several alcoholic beverages so we tried to add additional tip to that bill.

Day 6 Animal Kingdom/EPCOT

Jim and I just sat here for 5 minutes trying to remember where we at for lunch that day.  Obviously it was not very memorable.  We ate the new Sunshine Food Terrace at the Land.  The cost was approx $25 and forgetful.

Dinner was one of the most anticipated meals of the week.  Jim had always wanted to eat at the Coral Reef, however I do not eat seafood and we just couldn’t justify spending the money to eat there.  We had an 8:20pm reservation and did not end up sitting until almost 9:30pm. We had a great seat next to the glass; however we had children coming up to our table throughout the entire meal to look at the fish.  There was very little seafood on the menu and it was not near as enjoyable as we had expected to be.  I suppose this is one of the side effects of the free dining plan. We will not return to eat here. Cost for 2 adults was approx $100

Day 7 Disney Studios/EPCOT

We had 2 extra counter service meals so we ended up eating breakfast at Old Port Royal.  I had the chocolate chip pancakes and Jim had the French toast.  One of the most frustrating things about the food court was that there are no bottled cokes sold in this area.  You have to go to the Calypso Trading post for bottled drinks other than water.  Also they do not have regular cups for fountain drinks out.  They only have the refillable ones, making you think that is all they offer.  This is not the case you can ask for a 1 meal use cup. Cost of breakfast was $20

For lunch we ate the ESPN Club at the Boardwalk.  This was not included on the meal plan (didn’t want to use the last one here) we drank our sorrows away while watching the Rebs lose. Cost of meal was $65

Dinner was at  Le Cellier.  We had a slight wait since we arrived right at our reservation time.  This is one of the restaurants we eat at every trip.  Dinner was excellent as usual and the cost was approx $100 for 2 adults

Day 8 Magic Kingdom/Airport

Again breakfast at the food court approx $15

Lunch at Columbia Harbor House. This was the 2nd time I had eaten here.  The first was during the Keys to the Kingdom tour in March 2006.  The food was good but they really tried to make it too fancy.  Jim ordered fish and chips and was surprised that it was real fish. Cost was approx $25

Final Thoughts

Overall we were very satisfied with the dining plan and will participate in it again whether it is free or not.  We ate at several locations which were new and very good and a few which we will skip going forward.  One of our biggest opportunities while dining at the worth would be eating at more resort restaurants.