Category Archives: Walt Disney World

Halloween in the Magic Kingdom

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Edna Mode (Debbie) and Mr. Incredible (Melvin).

What’s better than a trip to the Magic Kingdom?  Or better than Halloween?  How about a visit to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!  For our sixth straight year, we have made a trip to party with Mickey and all his friends.  The draw is that this is the only time that Disney allows adults to dress up in character – and believe us, there are some characters!  Take these two for example!  Debbie found Edna’s wig and glasses last year and purchased them because they were on a closeout price.  Melvin had his Continue Reading →

WDW Skyliner – Guest Review

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Notice our hair blowing in the breeze from the great ventilation within the Skyliner car.  (Tom & Mary Ann)

A new twist on an old idea, the Walt Disney World has completed their new Skyliner and is transporting guests around select locations within the resort.  So why is this a new twist?  Disney parks used to have skyliners, but they have long since disappeared from the skies.  They were rides/attractions within the parks – but now they are transportation from resort to park and back.  Unfortunately, we didn’t get to experience this new addition on our latest trip but Debbie’s cousin, Mary Ann Yoder had an awesome opportunity to give it a try before it opened to the public, so we asked her to be a guest writer for the blog.  So, without further adieu, here is her story:

Just when you think you’ve become accustomed to the beauty of Disney, a ride on the Skyliner opens your eyes to a whole new world, literally!  As soon as we took flight on the Skyliner, the lyrics of A Whole New World immediately filled my mind:  A whole fantastic point of view!  A dazzling Continue Reading →

Our New Favorite Breakfast

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Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Making restaurant reservations in the parks, especially those with character dining is difficult at best.  But outside the parks and just a short journey to the resorts you can find lesser known, but equally satisfying places to enjoy a meal.  Everyone runs to the Plaza Inn or Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel, but Continue Reading →

2019 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

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Entrance to Epcot with topiary butterfly.

We came late to the party, but at least we made it.  The 2019 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is as stunning as ever.  The topiaries located around the park are outstanding, the entertainment is an added bonus; and let’s not forget the food!

Epcot has become one of our favorite parks for all the reasons mentioned above and as we have written about previously.  One of these days we will get to the opening day of these festivals so we can write about what is to come instead of what has happened!

Who doesn’t want to see their favorite performer for free in concert?  This year’s music line-up consisted of such mega Continue Reading →

EPCOT – Eat to the Beat

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A big part of the festivals that arrive at EPCOT is the musical entertainment.  Iconic musicians and groups, along with tribute bands perform their magic for free in the American Pavilion.  The International Food & Wine Festival saw no less than Kenny G, Plain White T’s, 98 Degrees, Mark Wills, Mercy Me, and many other favorites.

Our one night at EPCOT gave us the opportunity to see Air Supply, the Australian duo who Continue Reading →

EPCOT Food & Wine 2018

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We were a little late to the party this year, but better late than never!  We have mentioned in previous posts that Disney appears to be turning EPCOT into a “festival” center, and we are certainly good with that, with all the unique activities and experiences of the International Festival of the Arts, the Flower & Garden Festival and finally the International Food & Wine Festival.  What could they do to fill in the gaps?  We will soon find out with the International Festival of the Holidays starting November 18th!

The official passport to the world of food.

Disney continues their summer-to-fall tradition with the 2018 International Food & Wine Festival and they have not held back on the quality or variety of their offerings.  Since EPCOT is an international experience, it is wise not to start on this world-wide food tour without a passport.  When attending this culinary festival, stop by almost any kiosk and pick up this handy guide (pictured right).  In it you will find the various food, drink and dessert offerings, experiences and presentations as well as a page of stickers to “validate” your passport as you travel the world.  While there are 11 countries represented around the Showcase Lagoon, Disney has even added Continue Reading →

EPCOT – Spaceship Earth

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Have you ever wanted to take a ride inside a golf ball?  A giant golf ball?  This iconic object sitting at just past the entrance to EPCOT can easily be described as just that – a giant golf ball.  But it is more than just something to catch your eye or be the anchor to a theme park.

Spaceship Earth as seen from the World Showcase Lagoon.

Actually, this golf ball is called Spaceship Earth and it contains a fun, educational ride that takes you back to the dawn to man and follows him through the development of communication to today, then allows you to create your own future right on the screen of your time-travelling machine.

This complete geodesic sphere was designed with the assistance of science fiction writer Ray Bradbury.  It is 165 feet in diameter and tops out at 180 feet and took Continue Reading →

Festival of the Lion King

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Friends have been “gently encouraging” us for quite a while to go see the Festival of the Lion King at Walt Disney’s Animal Kingdom park.  After many delays, we finally got the chance to see it, and we are very sorry we didn’t make it a priority earlier!

Simba overlooking the festival.

The story of this theatrical production is not how a young lion can’t wait to be king, but instead is about a festival that takes place after Simba has been crowned king of Pride Rock.  He is joined by Timon, Pumba and their other friends from the African Savanna in the celebration.  It combines a multitude of human actors, actors in costume, acrobats, fire dancers, flying performers as well as animatronics all singing and Continue Reading →

Tea – Who Knew?

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One of the interesting things about the World Showcase is experiencing the different cultures in language, food, architecture and shopping found around the lagoon.  Among these is the Twinings Tea Company which has a Tea Caddy in the United Kingdom land in EPCOT, complete with a garden of tea shrubs, herbs and spices.  During the International Flower & Garden Festival,

English Tea Caddy & Tea Garden

they are hosting daily tours through their tea garden.  In this short, informative tour, guides retell the history of the Twinings Tea Company from its foundings in 1706 to present day.  Its continuous operation makes Twinings the oldest business still in operation in London and being in business over 300 years obviously makes them experts in their field.  Look closely at their packaging.  You will notice a crown – this represents the fact that they are the official tea of the English Royalty – a tribute to their expertise and longevity.

While the average consumer has their favorite tea brand and/or flavor, and even whether they prefer it hot or iced, sweet or plain, most of us know very little about this little leaf that brews the second most popular drink around the world.  Tea is Continue Reading →

EPCOT Flower & Garden 2018

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Figment the Dragon

The 25th anniversary of the International Flower & Garden Festival is officially underway in EPCOT.  This 3-month long event runs February 28th to May 28th and showcases everything flora, and even combines it with Disney magic to create some very special displays.  It is not much unlike the Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA, where the floats are made entirely of organic materials; but unlike the Rose Parade, most of these displays are made from living and blooming plants, so they will stay in color all spring long.

While the topiaries are spectacular and most of them depict Disney characters, the grounds around EPCOT are planted in blooming flowers and garden displays.  Even an enclosed garden with butterflies in all stages of growth is available for Continue Reading →