All the Disney Parks in One Podcast
Disney Parks Podcast Show #693 – Disney News for the Week of February 15, 2021
In today’s show, we have news about Walt Disney Imagineering and ABC team up for a new interactive series, Walt Disney Animation debuts a special look at ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’, key takeaways from Disney’s first quarter, headline news, meet-ups, trivia and so much more.
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Anyone who has been to Walt Disney World knows how much planning is involved. If you haven’t been there yet… buckle up for the best experience ever! But even the most experienced WDW visitor can still have questions about the one thing we can easily overlook… How to get from point A to point B. Disney Transportation is by far the most magical way to travel around the “World”. From arrival day to the day you leave and head back to reality, you don’t have to worry about how to get around. Here are the common forms of transportation, and where you can find them!
~Bus Transportation~
Resort Bus Transportation
As an on property guest, you have access to bus transportation to and from the parks and Disney Springs from most resorts. Simply head to the marked area at your resort and get whisked away to your reserved park or Disney Springs! At the end of the day, look for your resorts bus stop, and have a worry free trip back “home” (and yes, it’s ok if you take a little nap on the way back to your resort).
~Skyliner~
Skyliner
The newest (and for many, the most fun) form of transportation is the Skyliner Gondolas. The skyliner route includes POP Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach and Riviera resorts. If you are staying at any one of these, the skyliner will be your best form of transportation to and from both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. The main hub is located at Caribbean Beach, so depending on which resort you are coming from, you will transfer to a new line depending on your destination. One of the best parts of this form of transportation is the stunning views you can see along your journey… especially at night!
*If you have travelers in your party who struggle with heights, be aware that if staying at a resort on the skyliner route, it is a possibility that busses MAY not be available to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. For free, expert assistance with choosing which Resort is right for you and your family, we recommend reaching out to Destinations To Travel
~Friendship Boats~
Friendship Boats
Friendship Boats are available to certain resorts and will shuttle you to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, Magic Kingdom or Disney Springs (depending on your location). These are ideal for a relaxing, trip back to your resort after a long day of playing in the parks!
Of course there are many who prefer to drive themselves or rent a car to get around. Resort guests do not pay to park while at the parks (however there is a nightly resort parking fee). And a ridesharing service has become a popular option for many as well.
Tell us, which form of Disney Transportation is your favorite?
If you have questions about Disney Transportation or are ready to start planning your WDW vacation, I would love to assist you! Reach out to me on Facebook at Destinations To Travel with Christina Smith. Or we would love to have you join us in Living The Magical Life. I’m looking forward to Seeing You Real Soon!
Disney Parks Podcast Show #692 – Disney News for the Week of February 8, 2021
In today’s show, we have news about the Liberty Belle sets sail, Frozen coming to Alexa, Downtown Disney District reopening, headline news, meet-ups, trivia and so much more.
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One experience that seems to appear on everyone’s must-do list during a Walt Disney World vacation is character dining. Many people pair that experience with a reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom. The two go hand-in-hand, and though the latter should be done at least once in life (yes, that should be on your bucket list whether you love Disney or not), it isn’t the only dining location where one can meet Cinderella, or any character for that matter.
Since the start of the pandemic, many restaurants are still temporarily unavailable. Add the need for a Park Pass in the process- the planning involved in making a reservation can easily become an overwhelming task. How to make your vacation simpler? Look into dining experiences outside the parks.
Character dining has been modified for the sake of social distancing, amongst other COVID restrictions. Rather than stopping by tables for hugs, photos and autographs, characters now march on through the restaurants as a cavalcade. Autographs are presented at the table, usually, on a card before the end of the meal. Meals that were once served as a buffet are now brought to the table either family style or with a prix fixe menu instead. Despite all of this, a character dining experience should be enjoyed during your stay, especially if little ones (and young ones at heart) are part of your travelling party.
The following are all the places you can find yourself dining with a character outside the parks- some even rarely seen anywhere else! Note: Advance reservations strongly recommended. For booking at Four Seasons Resort Orlando, call (407) 313-6161. Experiences with an asterisk (*) are currently unavailable during the phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resorts and restaurants.
Location: Chef Mickey’s, Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Highlight: Celebration Mickey Pancake, Loaded Potato Cheese Casserole, Harvest Sweet Rolls
Price: Adult $42/Child ages 9 and under $27
Characters: Mickey, Donald Duck, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto
Allergy-friendly: Options available
Location: Ravello, Four Seasons Resort Orlando. Saturdays only.
Highlight: Meals include Bakery Basket and Sliced Fruit.
Price: Adult $48/Child ages 12 and under $28
Characters: Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy
Allergy-friendly: Options available
Breakfast a la Art with Mickey and Friends. Riviera Resort. Photos by Destinations to Travel with Jenni Maier
Location: Topolino’s Terrace, Disney’s Riviera Resort
Highlight: Meals include bakery basket
Price: Adult $42/Child ages 9 and under $27
Characters: Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy Duck
Allergy-friendly: Options available
Location: Cape May Café, Disney’s Beach Club
Highlight: Mickey Waffles, Chocolate Pancakes
Price: Adult $42/Child ages 9 and under $27
Characters: Minnie, Goofy, Donald and Daisy Duck
Allergy-friendly: Guide available upon request
Location: ‘Ohana, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Highlight: Hawaiian Pork Sausages and Ham, Island-Style Fried Potatoes
Price: Adult $42/Child ages 9 and under $27
Characters: Lilo and Stitch
Allergy-friendly: Guide available upon request
Prince Eric at Trattoria al Forno. Photo by Destinations To Travel with Tina Farmer.
Location: Trattoria al Forno, Disney’s Boardwalk
Highlight: Flounder’s Flapjacks, Steak & Eggs, Poached Eggs w/Sausage, Polenta, & Focaccia
Price: Varies
Characters: Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, Ariel and Prince Eric
Allergy-friendly: Options available
The Evil Queen, Story Book Dining at Artist Point. Photo by Destinations To Travel with Tina Farmer.
Location: Artist Point, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Highlight: Shared Appetizers and Shared Desserts
Price: Adult $60/Child ages 9 and under $39
Characters: Snow White, the Seven Dwarfs, and the Evil Queen
Allergy-friendly: Guide available upon request
Location: 1900 Park Fare, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Allergy-friendly: Guide available upon request
1900 Park Fare. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Photo by Destinations To Travel with Katie Prevot.
*The Supercalifragilistic Breakfast includes character visits from Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Tigger and Winnie the Pooh.
Price: Adult $45/Child ages 9 and under $29
*Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner presents Cinderella and Prince Charming with a worldly menu.
Price: Adult $60/Child ages 9 and under $39
*Wonderland Tea Party is a dining and crafts event for children ages 4 to 12, Monday through Friday, from 2-3pm. Features Alice in Wonderland and The Mad Hatter.
Price: Child $49.
Special Thanks to fellow colleagues and independent travel agents at Destinations To Travel for their collaboration with photographs from their own travels!
Disney Parks Podcast Show #691 – Disney News for the Week of February 1, 2021
In today’s show, we have news about the Flower & Garden Festival coming, Jungle Cruise being re-done, face masks update, headline news, meet-ups, trivia and so much more.
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It seems that as adulthood sets in, many people believe their time has come and gone to experience all this wonderful place has to offer. But for those of us that refuse to grow up, I assure you that is NOT the case! Don’t believe me? Let me show you.
~Choose Your Ideal Resort~
Sunrise over Port Orleans Riverside
On Property Disney Resorts are not “one size fits all”. And planning as a couple can actually open up a whole new realm of possibilities. While Value Resorts offer wonderful, nostalgic memories, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts offer a more mature (and romantic) setting. This is a great time to watch a sunrise over Port Orleans Riverside, enjoy overlooking a safari at Animal Kingdom Lodge, or watch the sunset over Magic Kingdom with a drink in hand on the “beach” at the Polynesian!
~ Experience Incredible Dining~
The Ultimate Dining Experience
Whether you are looking to expand your palette or just love food, you can experience dining on a whole new level on a couples trip. Enjoy Signature Dining without worrying what’s on the kids menu. Want to really splurge? Treat yourselves to Victoria & Alberts (a AAA 5 Diamond restaurant) located in the Grand Floridian. Maybe even spend some time sampling drinks from around the World (Showcase, that is) at Epcot. No matter what your preference, let your adult inner foodie out!
~Enjoy Real Downtime~
Enjoy Your Resort
You finally started your much deserved vacation. You’ve planned for months (or maybe you had free, expert assistance from our friends at Destinations To Travel). It’s tempting to GO, GO, GO… especially at WDW… but HOLD BACK. Yes, I said hold back! It’s important to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the parks together. Spend time enjoying your resort & the pool. Head over and experience evening adult entertainment at Disney Springs. Maybe even sleep in one morning! With no little ones in tow you have the freedom to take everything at a leisurely pace. It IS a vacation, after all!
~Take In All The Details~
Painstaking detail in Animal Kingdom
Enjoying WDW as a couple allows you to not only enjoy time together, but reconnect with each other on a totally different level. While taking the time to appreciate the many intricate details the Imagineers have painstakingly put into place, you get to experience the childlike happiness in each other when the magic hits. A couples trip to Walt Disney World is truly a whole new level of MAGICAL!
Tell us, have you ever done a couples trip to Walt Disney World? What was your favorite part of the experience?
If planning a future couples trip to WDW is on your radar the Valentine’s Day, I would love to assist you! Reach out to me on Facebook at Destinations To Travel with Christina Smith or join us in Living The Magical Life. And be sure to “stay tuned” as we explore more on resorts, restaurants and experiences for adulting in Walt Disney World!
Disney Parks Podcast Show #690 – Disney News for the Week of January 25, 2021
In today’s show, we have some special guests and news about entertainment coming back to Walt Disney World Resort this summer, Skyliner maintenance coming, headline news, meet-ups, trivia and so much more.
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Spending more time at the resort, and less time at the parks? After all, who doesn’t want to have a lazy, non-park day, basking in the sun and swimming in a perfectly perfect in every way 82 degrees Fahrenheit pool?
Stormalong Bay, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts
Stormalong Bay, Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club: 3 acres of swimming and splashing by the sandy beach, winding lazy river, and sandy bottom waters. There’s also a 230ft long shipwreck slide, and miniature slide and pool for little tykes. Adulting? Relax in one of the 3 whirlpool spas, grab a cocktail at Hurricane Hannah’s Bar & Grill, or await service in your own private cabana (advance reservation/fee required). Bonus: Kids Meals at the Grill come with pails- perfect for building sandcastles!
*Lava Pool, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort: Zero-depth entry pool, huge volcano with waterfalls and a 142ft long slide. There’s also an aquatic play area for tykes under 48″, and grown-ups can soak in the infinity hot tub that overlooks the Seven Seas Lagoon. The Barefoot Pool Bar and Pineapple Lanai (hint: DOLE Whip) will have you singing The Pina Colada Song all day. Escape. *This resort is scheduled to reopen in summer 2021.
Lost City of Cibola Pool, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort: Massive, 50ft Mayan Pyramid with cascading water down steps you can sit, or lie on (bottom steps only, por favor). Kids can glide down the 123ft waterslide- watch out for the spitting jaguar on the way down! The largest hot tub on WDW property resides here, toasting 20 guests at a time. Don’t sacrifice yourself there, though. As the kids play, cool off at the Siestas Cantina with a refreshing drink, or grab a Grouper Taco and some Fried Shrimp. Perfecto!
Lost City of Cibola Pool, Coronado Springs. @Finding.Disney.1
Fuentes del Morro Pool, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: Zero-depth entry pool, 2 waterslides, and spraying canons shoot from the remains of an old Spanish fortress. Younger swashbucklers will love the aquatic play area. As the kids go ARRGH like a pirate, adults can (responsibly) drift to Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahamas at the Banana Cabana. A 12-person spa pool awaits for a little more indulgence.
*The Big Blue Pool, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort: Swim along with Nemo and Friends in the zero-depth entry, big blue (308,527 gallons) pool, and sing along with music underwater! A simple sprayground gushes jets of water for little guppies. Note: Disney’s Value Resorts do not feature waterslides. *The Big Blue Pool will be closed for refurbishment from January 11, 2021 through April 2021. You can still use Flippin’ Fins Pool or get cozy in the Cozy Cone Pool (cone cabanas fill up fast, yet require no reservation).
Honorable mention: The pools at Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel. A 3acre water wonder paradise with lush landscaping, waterfalls, grottos, and waterslide. Also on site, 2 lap pools and 4 whirlpool spas. Though this is not Disney-owned, it is well-worth a stay.
Oasis, Four Seasons Orlando. Don Riddle ©
Oasis, Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World: Adult-exclusive, lakeside, infinity-edge, cabana-strewn, palm tree-lined, Instagram-worthy pool. Minimum age for entry, 21. Reread that all over again. Yes, it’s real, and it’s at WDW. It is not Disney-owned, but…does it matter?
If you do have kids, there’s no need to feel guilty as you redefine “me” time. Kids For All Seasons is a complimentary kids camp providing indoor and outdoor fun, including supervised swim time. Parenting at its finest!