Tag: walt disney world resort

Worth the Money: Disney Dining Plan

by disneywonderlandgazette, posted in Disney, family, family fun, Family Vacation, preschoolers, Toddler, Toddler Travel, Uncategorized, Walt Disney World

BeachesandCream

One of the biggest questions people have when they start planning their Disney vacation is if they should purchase the Disney Dining plan.

It seams for most people there is no middle ground. You either love the plan or you think it is a waste of money.

We have been traveling to Disney almost annually since 2007. I would say for eight out of 10 of those trips we have purchased the dining plan and the only reason why we didn’t purchase it those two times is because our stay was too short to qualify for the dining plan. So I bet you can guess which camp we are in when it comes to the dining plan.

Speaking of qualifications, in order to be able to purchase the dining plan you must be staying on Disney property, in one of the Disney owned resorts, and have purchased at least two days worth of park tickets. So if you are just going to be visiting Disney for a few days and will only visit the parks once, then you will not be able to get the dining plan.

Another big consideration for people is the cost of the dining plan.

Disney has three tiers of dining plans.

The first is the quick service plan. This entitles each person to two quick service meals (which is a place where you walk up to the counter and order) and two snacks (any single serve item is considered a snack. This includes the vegetarian chili at Columbia Harbor House in the Magic Kingdom and the Smuckers Uncrustables.) You also get a refillable mug that you can use for unlimited beverages at your resort only.

This plan costs $48.19 for adults and $20.88 for children ages 3 to 9 per day.

The next step up is the regular (base) dining plan.

What is included in this plan is one quick service, one table service (which includes soft drink, entree and dessert) and one snack each day. This tier also includes the refillable mug.

The cost of this plan is $69.35 for adults and $24.95 for children ages 3 to 9 per day.

The top tier is the Deluxe Dining Plan includes three meals (your choice of either quick service or tables service), two snacks and refillable mug.

The price of this plan is $106.68 for adults and $38.75 for kids ages 3 to 9.

There are a lot of different options available for different prices and budgets.

In my opinion, I think the dining plan is worth it for adults. If you have a child who is a picky eater or doesn’t eat that much you might want to skip the dining plan.

The greatest thing is that you can order anything off the meal including the most expensive items and you can enjoy some of the best character dining experiences that would end up costing almost $60 for just one meal.

Do you prefer to use the dining plan or do you pay out of pocket? Leave your comments below.

Safety First

by disneywonderlandgazette, posted in Disney, family, family fun, Family Vacation, preschoolers, Toddler, Toddler Travel, Uncategorized, Walt Disney World
park secruity
Photo courtesy of ibtimes.com

It really is a commentary on the state of the world when metal detectors are needed to get into the “Happiest Place on Earth.”

But, the fact of the matter is that I feel better knowing they are there and they are keeping my family safe. I am so thankful for the security guards that work hard each day to keep everyone safe and I am sure having to deal with their own share of people trying to give them flack because they snuck in a selfi-stick and got caught.

In order to make the security process a little easier Disney has been rolling out some changes that were announced earlier this week.

According to several sources, including the Disney fan website, Inside the Magic, that these new measures will include new security checks at the Transportation and Ticket Center. This means and those who enter the Magic Kingdom through ferry or monorail will be able to skip the bag check and metal detectors at the gate.

Also, those who are staying at one of the resorts on the monorail loop (Grand Floridian, Poly and Contemporary) will be checked at the resort monorail stations and will be able to enter without going through the security check point at the gate,

Those guests arriving on buses at this time will still use the current security setup.

These changes are scheduled to take place April 3.

 

All aboard for dinner

by disneywonderlandgazette, posted in family fun, Toddler, Toddler Travel, Uncategorized, Walt Disney World

For many people the Monorail at Walt Disney World is more than a vehicle for transportation.

For awhile now people have been using the monorail as a way to drink at the different deluxe resorts in the form of a monorail bar crawl.

Disney decided to take things one step further and offer a new experience: Highway in the Sky Dine-Around.

 

monorail-dine-1
Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

 

This new experience, announced by the Disney Parks Blog yesterday, is a sort of “progressive dinner” that will start Dec. 2.

Participants will have the opportunity to dine at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

According to the blog, the dining event will start at The Wave … of American Flavors at the Contemporary for a cocktail, then hop on the “highway in the sky” to the Polynesian to have South Pacific themed “sips and appetizers.”

Next stop will be at the Grand Floridian for dining at Citricos for an entrée and wine pairing. There will also be a sparkling wine and sampling of artisanal cheese in the lobby.

The final stop of the grand monorail food tour will be back at the contemporary for dessert, cordials and coffee on the private patio with the view of fireworks at the Magic Kingdom.

This dining experience will be available Tuesday, Friday and Sunday (with blackout dates of Dec. 23 and Dec. 31).

The cost is $150, gratuity included, but tax is additional. Valet parking is included.

If this sounds like something up your alley, you can make reservations at 407-WDW-DINE.

Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

While the price tag is pretty hefty, it is still a little cheaper than Victoria & Albert’s and it seems like this is more of a unique experience that lets you save the best of the hotels on the monorail line. (Visiting the different hotels are one of my favorite things to do on vacation.)

Is this something you would like to try? Leave a comment below.

Pandora is Sooner than Expected

by disneywonderlandgazette, posted in Disney, family fun, Family Vacation, Toddler, Toddler Travel, Uncategorized, Walt Disney World

This past weekend Bob Chapek, the chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts unveiled and offered a tiny peek into Avatar’s world of Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom that is set to open Summer 2017.

The information was announced as part of a D23 convention held in Orlando.

One of the photos that was shared showed a bridge that leads into this ever growing, imaginative world.

pandora-bridge
Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World Resort

According to a release from Walt Disney World, D23 host Jeffery Epstein said that the story behind the bridge is that it was built “during a time when a destructive company called the RDA-Resources Development Administration came to Pandora. Now that they are long gone, nature is breaking down evidence of their presence. This bridge will soon serve as an entry into the base camp of Alpha Centauri Expeditions, the eco-tour group that will host explorers on their Pandora adventure.”

Once inside the world of Pandora, guests will have the opportunity to experience two exciting attractions: the Na’vi River Journey and Avatar Flight of Passage.

The Na’vi River Journey, will be an all ages attraction through a beautiful bioluminescent forest.

At the conclusion of the attraction, guests will be greeted by a Na’Vi Shaman, which some people are calling one of the most sophisticated AIs ever created. You be the judge:

Avatar Flight of Passage will have guests in flight high above the jungles of Pandora on a Mountain Banshee.

In addition to the attractions there will be the Satu’li Canteen, the main restaurant of Pandora that will highlight Na’vi art and cultural items and Windtraders, a store that sells Na’vi cultural items, science kits, toys and more.

For those wanting a refreshing beverage, they can stop at Pongu Pongu.

Are you excited to take your journey to Pandora starting this summer? Leave your comments below.

Back to the Grind and Looking Toward the Future

by disneywonderlandgazette, posted in Disney, family fun, Family Vacation, Toddler, Toddler Travel, Uncategorized, Walt Disney World

After seven wonderful days at the Happiest Place on Earth (AKA Walt Disney World) we are back home.

We have settled back into our jobs and our routines and have begun the process of trying to get over our “vacation hangover.”

There were lots of memories made and lots of fun had by all. I also had the opportunity to refresh my ideas for the blog and what the future of Mousekatots looks like. While nothing is concrete at this time, I can say the future is going to be bright.

Look for reviews of a few nightlife spots, Disney products, restaurants and more as well as sharing even more tips and tricks on traveling to “The World” with a toddler.

It is also going to be time for our Mousekatot’s third birthday (time has flown) and she said that she wanted a Mickey and Minnie party, so look forward to some plan along with me blog posts complete with some multimedia additions.

As always, you can find me all over social media including the Mousekatots Facebookpage, Twitter @DareDomesticate and Snapchat GhostHost28.

Tomorrow’s blog is going to take a look at a fairly pricey service that is offered at Walt Disney World and I will let you know if I think it is worth it. Until then, I will leave you with a photo that perfectly sums up why we do Disney every year.

PhotoPass_Visiting_MK_7841701488.jpeg