Are You Ever Too Old For Meeting Disney Characters?
You will find that there are a lot of couples out there that go to Disney World and do not bother with paying a visit to the many different Disney characters whilst there are others that will queue and visit each and every one, even if they aren’t even their favourties! So with this in mind, is there a time where you have to put the pen, signature book and camera down to just experience the attractions at Disney World?
You Are Never Too Old For Disney
I am a strong believer in that everyone who goes to Disney is never too old to do anything there and this includes meeting all of the Disney characters. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t the biggest fan of Stitch or one of the Disney Princesses it is still worth queuing up to gain an autograph and a photograph just because everyone else is doing it and having a fantastic time! All of the characters will act in the same way they do in the movies and will make sure that each and every guest that approaches them goes away with a smile (even if they are a villain).
The truth is, you are never too old to meet all of the Disney characters, especially Mickey Mouse!
The Top Things Your Kids Are Going To Want To Do In Disney World
When it comes to going to Disney World it is safe to say that a lot of the time people think that all of the parks are just for kids. This is not the case at all which is why you need to make sure that the kids are actually going to be doing things that they like. This means that days spent at Downtown Disney and EPCOT might not actually be best for everyone in the family and you might have to hang out at The Magic Kingdom and ride it’s a small world a bit more than you would have to without the kids. So here are just some of the things you can do with your kids in Disney World.
Go To Fantasyland
This is the place where all of the younger kids are going to want to spend all of their time and this is simply because the younger kids love it here. All of the favourites from Disney Princesses to Peter Pan and Dumbo are all located within this area of the park. Don’t put off going to this section of the park just because you think you won’t like it. I am in my twenties now and I still love this area of the park, it is only going to get better when the new and improve Fantasyland starts to open in 2012!
Spend Your Money
If you thought that saving up to travel to Disney World was expensive then you are going to get a shock when your kids want everything they see in all of the Disney stores. The worst part about it is that although some of the stores contain the same stock there are different things in nearly every Disney store in Disney World, this means you are going to have very empty pockets by the end of the vacation! In all seriousness, you will want to watch what you spend on yourself too, I really have to hold myself back when I am Disney, and being such a fan I love everything!
Meet And Greet ALL of the characters
It might sound really boring to you right now but trust me, you are going to want to meet all of the Disney chracters too, they are great fun to meet and get photos and autographs with as every single one of them acts just like the real character from the movies. For example, Tigger is always bouncing all over the place and messing about whereas the Villains will snatch your books from you and sometimes even through them to the floor! Be warned, you are going to have to wait in line to meet the more popular ones!
Mickey Mouse even has his very own Fast Pass system now at the Magic Kingdom!
So no matter what the kids want when they are in Disney World you will find it to be the vacation of a lifetime!
So What’s New For Walt Disney World After D3 Expo 2011?
D3 Expo has come and gone now and a lot of people who haven’t had the chance to a catch up with the event yet are asking what was revealed for Disney World in Florida at the expo. The truth is that Disney didn’t reveal very much at all for Florida this time round despite revealing a brand new park in China and a ride that would go through a castle for the very first time! Here is what Disney did reveal about the parks (some are just rumours though).
Fact – Update On The Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs Ride
Disney showed off a very early run through of the ride in CG (as work really hasn’t even started on the right yet). Key features of the ride include each individual mine train being able to rock back and forth on their own. Unfortunately it doesn’t look like the ride is going to be completed anywhere near the opening of other features of the new Fantasyland and is expected to open 2013/14.
Fact – Animatronic Luminaire To Appear In New Fantasyland
It might not sound like a great innovation but we haven’t had a proper animatronic introduced to the parks in quite some time and with the recent advances in technology fans should really be expecting something special from Luminaire, no details on when he will be making his debut but the hope is that he will be there for opening in 2012/13.
Rumour -Talking Mickey To Debut In Parks?
At the Expo guests were able to meet a Mickey that could talk and blink just like the one in the Magic Kingdom show. This is the first time ever that Disney have ever shown this off face to face with guests and he was able to answer questions that people were asking him. Disney hasn’t confirmed that this version of Mickey will be hitting the parks as it is likely to be very expensive to produce a suit that is capable of doing this. However, it would make sense to place it in the new meet and greet in the Magic Kingdom Park at the very least. The Mickey was a hit with guests so Disney may well do something with him yet!
All in all fans were really disappointed that there wasn’t an update on Downtown Disney or any new rides coming to Hollywood Studios (the Monsters Inc rollercoaster seems to be a strong rumour still) as well as the other two parks, Animal Kingdom and EPCOT. Representatives of Disney did state that they are pouring more money into the parks than ever before so all cannot be done at once but that fans can have updates on DTD to look forward to in the near future.
And now for something completely different:
Mickey Mouse On The Drums
Mickey Mouse Dancing
Packing For Florida
You either love packing or you hate packing, whichever it is if you want to go on vacation there really isn’t much of a choice. There is so much to remember when you pack for a vacation, and usually one thing you end up forgetting. It is this and a lot more that contributes to the stress of getting ready for a vacation. When it comes to packing for Disney you are going to have to think even more about what is going in that suitcase!
Going Shopping
The best part about going on vacation is that you are going to need to go on a shopping trip in order to get everything you need. Although the men aren’t going to enjoy this part as it means money spent, the girls are certainly going to like a good old fashioned hike around the shops. Make sure that you are buying real summery clothes no matter what time of year you are travelling to Florida as there is simply no need for jumpers and jeans. Get prepared for the trip to Disney by purchasing a few Disney t-shirts if you have the money as they will help put you in the mood!
Toiletries
Although there is still a need to pack the essentials you don’t need to worry as much when it comes to travelling to the states as their shops are far cheaper than the ones we have in the UK. Make sure you pay a visit to Wal-Mart or Target in the first couple of days and you will end up saving a lot of space in your case.
Bikini Bodies
Another great thing about America is that you really do not need to worry about working hard for that bikini body, most women out there really don’t have one, especially in the places you will be visiting. The park attractions will keep you busy for most of the time which means there will be hardly any time for swimming anyway!
Weight Of The Case
When it comes to weighing the case do not worry, you really do only need to pack the essentials. If you are planning on travelling to the parks every single day then you do not need to bother with things like books because when you get in from a day at the parks the only thing you are going to want to do is sleep!
So to summarise you really don’t need to worry about packing essentials and always need to ensure that all clothes that are packed are summer ones!
Florida Weather
How best to explain the weather when you land in Florida? Changeable, hot, stormy, sweaty? Any of these are a perfect way to describe it. The one I would use? Temperamental.
The weather cannot make up its mind!!
Try and imagine the weather in Florida similar to an emotional girlfriend. Whether its hot, cold, wet ,stormy, all of it can happen in the space of 24 hours.
What To Wear
What ever the weathers doing, the temperature is generally in the low 30′s, so it best to stick to shorts and a tshirt with your choice of shoes. However, it’s wise to take a fold away rainmac or even buy a proper Disney merchandise one, as inevitably it will rain, and rain hard!! It’s entirely up to you whether you take spare clothes with you, but it just means more to carry; and about30 seconds after rainfall the Sun will start to try and burn a hole through you. Within minutes your original clothes and the streets around you are pretty much dry again.
The Shops A Safe Haven
Half the time you walk around Disney the Sun is making you sweat, or the air is so close you stat to feel tired and unable to breathe. This is where the shops and restaurants play their role. As you walk past a store on a boiling hot afternoon, the air conditioning pulls you in straight away. The coolness of the shop gives you a break from the heat of Florida, and it also gives you a chance to look around and buy some merchandise.
If you are in Disney and by some strange turn of events it’s actually cold out, the shops turn their heaters on, so either way there is a safe haven from the intense weather.
Florida weather is quite unpredictable so it’s wise to keep the suncream and the rainmac packed with eachother. However, one way or another the temperatures are mostly high so wear summery clothes.
Little bit of advice: stay inside during a storm but go out in the rain, it’s definitely an experience!!
Summer Closure Updates Straight From Walt Disney World (July & August 2011)
Although Disney are heading into peak season with the Summer now well and truly here it would seem there have been a number of refurbishment announcements over the last week or so. A lot of these are actually occurring just after the busy months of July and August so here they are all in one easy to read place!
Voyage Of The Mermaid- August 13th 2011 to September 03rd 2011
This one does come as a small shock to me as it is an attraction that is incredibly popular at Hollywood Studios and I know a lot of families going this summer will really miss seeing this fantastic show. Although the refurbishment isn’t lasting for too long it is slap bang in the middle of peak season which does seem a little odd. Could it have not waited until early September when things really slow down?
It’s Tough To Be A Bug- August 15th 2011 to September 30th 2011
I mentioned this one in a post not too long ago and as mentioned back then I thought it was very strange to close such a big attraction in at the Animal Kingdom right in the middle of the summer. Although the park is fantastic there aren’t an awful lot of attractions available in the park and to take this one out will certainly effect the waiting times for other attractions. At least the attraction is only closing for refurbishment and not for good!
Casey’s Corner- August 30th 2011 to September14th 2011
So although this might not seem like a big closure for some it is safe to say that on a busy day in the Magic Kingdom this little quick service restaurant is going to be missed. Offering out hot dogs, nachos and refreshing drinks at least this place is closing towards the end of the busy period!
There are a few other closures coming up but these do not start until September so I will update in a few weeks’ time. If there are any other significant closures during July/August that people need to be aware of then let me know within the comments or on Twitter and I will add them to this list!
Disney Hotels Vs. Florida Villas
There is no doubt in anyone’s minds that a trip to Florida would be one of the best vacations of a lifetime, but there is always an obstacle you come across. One particular obstacle is where to stay.
Would you be better off staying in one of the magical Disney Hotels or relaxing in a comfortable Villa?
Florida Villas
The villas in Florida are no doubt beautiful and comfortable, but is this where you really want to be staying? Villas are best to stay in if you are travelling as a family. It means you can spend quality time together, and be able to relax around a pool without strangers making you feel uncomfortable. When you stay in a Villa it’s easier to do things at your own pace, and you can decide as a unit where you want to go and what you want to do on any given day. Villas give you more freedom when it comes to days out and meals around as you are not restricted by Disney buses, or having to switch hotels etc. It makes for a calm holiday where you are completely in charge, with no hassles of rushing around to be somewhere.
However, staying in a Villa often means often means you have to keep your fridge full of snacks and lunches to keep the family happy. This eats a big chunk out of the spending money for the holiday and you find yourself budgeting. As well as this, Villa’s mean that sometimes you miss out on some of the exciting things happening that day as you have decided to do something completely different at a different destination.
Staying at a villa can also cause arguments between family members, especially when you cannot decide where to go, this then leads to the day being wasted when no-one is talking to each other. You also have to make time for shopping and eating out, again cutting chunks out of the time in your day.
Disney Hotels
Staying at a Disney hotel is a wonderful thing to do, but I would recommend staying at a hotel if you are a couple or in a group of friends. This means that you can spend more time at each of the parks and plan your time accordingly. As well as this you can generally get good deals where you can stay at a hotel and then switch to go to a different set of parks i.e. Universal Studios.
Disney hotels are amazing and definitely cater for all your needs. You can get access to mini restaurants if you decide to stay at the hotel for dinner, and there is a gift shop with Disney merchandise if you need or want anything. The staff are always there to answer enquiries, whereas in a Villa you need to work things out for yourself.
Disney buses are a brilliant aspect of the hotels, you can grab a bus to any of the Disney Parks and get one back again at any time of the day. This means that you don’t need to pay for a rental care, parking or petrol; saving money along the way.
Magic hours are a good benefit for people who stay at Disney. It means you can have an extra hour or more at the parks when scheduled without the general public. Brilliant if you are there during the busiest times of the year.
The Disney dining plan is also a good benefit as it means you can pay a set amount and get different meals (Quick service or Sit down meal) for a set price. This is good if you want to check out some of the more expensive Disney restaurants, but couldn’t afford it generally.
However, the problem with staying at the hotels are that you are restricted to the Disney parks, especially if you haven’t rented a car, so you can’t experience the more remote parts of Florida or other parks, or any of the nice restaurants.
There can be a lack of privacy when it comes to housekeeping or other visitors, and sometimes can make you feel uncomfortable.
Sometimes you can be constantly busy and don’t feel like you are on holiday as you have planned so much and are so tired.
So, if you want to go to Florida and you’re not sure where to stay, there are choices that make it easier. It really depends on how you want to plan your holiday and whether you want to take it as it comes or plan it to the last details, and whether you’re a family or a young couple.
Florida is amazing so wherever you decide to stay you will have a brilliant time.
3 Things You Could Do With Your Dad In Florida
It’s Father’s Day today, not only here in the UK but in the US too which means it is surely time for a Father’s Day themed post! I doubt you are ever stuck of things to do with your Dad when you are in the parks but if you are short on time then here are just 3 things that would keep you both happy!
Go For A Pint
It sounds like an ancient old tradition that I am taking straight from the roots of the English culture but that is exactly where you are going to go to enjoy a drink with your dad! Arguably offering up some of the best alcoholic beverages in the whole of Disney World, The Rose and Crown Pub within the UK in EPCOT is surely going to put a smile on your dad’s face! You can choose from a range of drinks including Guinness, Stella Artois and Bass.
Ride Some Serious Coasters
Okay so although Disney World has a fair number of great attractions in it there is one thing I have always found it lacked, fantastic rollercoasters. You could travel to both Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios and experience Expedition Everest and Rock n Rollercoaster starring Aerosmith but I would actually recommend travelling to Tampa Bay and experiencing Busch Gardens or heading to Islands of Adventure.
IOA would be my personal recommendation as you have The Hulk, Spiderman (although not technically a coaster), Dragon Challenge and if you go just next door to Universal Studios you have the fantastic Rip Ride Rockit as well as The Mummy.
Shopping?
Okay so it sounds like something that Father and Son really shouldn’t do together but if you are in Florida on vacation you really need to find time to visit some of the fantastic stores out there. For example, my Dad loves to play golf, watch golf, live golf and the stores you can go to over in Florida really don’t compare to the crappy sports stores we have over here. The same applies to clothing, supermarkets and even gaming stores. Everything is bigger and better in the states!
Brand New Way To See Images On Top Florida Guide!
Thanks to a great programming friend of mine you will now be able to see a good selection of images taken by myself within Florida to the top right of every single blog post that is written. For now there are just a few on display but I will make sure that I keep adding photos every now and again!
As a final point I haven’t gotten rid of the dolphin that has been in place for you last year, it is still included in this slider!
Top 5 Non-Disney Theme Parks in Florida
Guest post contributorJoe Johnson is a travel blogger working for a firm who specialise in holidays to Orlando.
Florida is synonymous across the globe with Walt Disney-World, the state has become a byword, at least with foreign visitors, for family holidays, fun and all things Mickey Mouse. Tourism is of course the largest sector of Florida’s economy and the Disney World resort, along with miles of stunning beaches and trendy urban areas like Miami and Tampa, is one of the main reasons for this. Of course Florida should not only be thought of as host of the Disney empire, there are plenty of other amusement parks dotted throughout the state that you can enjoy as part of your Disney world holidays; here are five of the best:
Gatorland
Located in Orlando, Gator Land does exactly what it says on the tin! This nature park makes a great day out for both reptilian enthusiasts and those who err on the side of caution when it comes to deadly man-eating beasts. Take in live shows involving Alligators and Snakes and even get a snap taken with you holding the slimy critters!
Busch Gardens
Believe it or not, Busch Gardens has been around in one form or another since 1905, existing in a number of locations across the U.S including Passadena and L.A in a variety of guises, Busch Gardens was originally a vehicle to promote Anheuser-Busch, the company behind Budwiser! Busch Gardens in Tampa has been open since 1959 and combines one of the U.S’ largest zoos with a range of thrilling rides.
Seaworld
Seaworld is possibly the world’s biggest and best aquarium. The centrepiece of the park is a show based around Shamu the Killer-Whale who performs tricks for the audience; just make sure you’re not sitting in the front few rows if you’re not keen on getting wet! Seaworld also features a range of aquatic-themed rides and attractions that let you get up-close and personal with sharks, dolphins and seals.
Universal studios
Universal Studios is widely regarded as Florida’s second theme park, but by all accounts, the park, owned by Universal Studios is more than a match for the might of the Magic Kingdom. Taking inspiration from the big screen, Universal stuns visitors with such attractions as the Jaws Amity Boat Tour, Men in Black: Alien Attack and Terminator 2: 3D Battle Across Time.
Wet n Wild
If you prefer to simultaneously cool off and get your kicks, Wet ‘n’ Wild is the place for you. Encompassing 60 acres of water-based attractions, the park certainly lives up to its name with slides like ‘The Storm’ which spits you into a wide ‘bowl’ where you’ll spin around before plunging into the water below. Wet ‘n’ Wild isn’t all thrills and spills however, the Lazy River ride allows a rare opportunity to relax and get your breath back!
So what are you waiting for, Orlando holidays!
