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INFO: How to Get the Best Firework Views, Part I

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With news of fireworks returning at Walt Disney World July 1, and the new nighttime spectaculars taking to the skies for the world’s biggest 50th anniversary celebration this October, you may want to know where to be for the best (or simply better) views of Disney’s pyrotechnic displays. Surprisingly, that doesn’t necessarily require a park ticket. 

Photo by D2Travel Agent Jamie Swanson

In this post, let’s focus on Magic Kingdom Park.

It’s time to prepare for the return of Happily Ever After and the debut of Disney Enchantment over, and on, Cinderella’s Castle. There are several dining options that offer potential viewing of Magic Kingdom’s nighttime spectaculars. Note use of the word potential. Since castle projections are just as part of the show as the fireworks, appreciating this anywhere other than center stage on Main Street most likely won’t have the full effect of the overall experience. Also, there isn’t much guarantee that window seating or firework views from indoors will be unobstructed or even available at the time of the reservation. That said, if you do have a dinner reservation, arrive early and kindly request a firework view seating. Your reservation should also be up to one hour before the scheduled firework show. 

Now, for the list of Disney’s Resorts and restaurants with a view of Magic Kingdom fireworks:

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Dine window-side at ‘Ohana, or simply head to the beach for fireworks viewing. Once construction is complete and the resort is accessible via monorail again, it shouldn’t be too difficult to hop on over here.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Enjoy dinner with fireworks, and the music which accompanies the show, at the California Grill. Just visiting? Step outside on the fourth floor observation deck. California Grill also has its own observation deck, and, if you have eaten there earlier in the evening, be sure to keep your receipt. This may be used to gain access to the 15th floor deck to watch the fireworks as an end cap to a magical day.

Disney’s Grand Floridian. Get all fancy and splurge at Narcoossee’s (piped in music included). There’s a viewing deck around the restaurant as well. For a more affordable option that doesn’t require a reservation and bank account, opt for outdoor patio seating at the Quick-Service restaurant Gasparilla Island Grill.

 

In the Magic Kingdom Park…

Have a park ticket? Ready to deal with the infamous crowds at park closing? If you answered yes, I admire your bravery. Use it wisely to grab seats, or a table, outdoors at Casey’s Corner (which appears to be opening soon) or the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. Speaking of the area, Plaza Restaurant does have limited window space indoors with a firework view. Don’t count on getting it. You’ll need faith, trust, pixie dust, patience, and luck for any of these locations to deliver the magic you anticipate!

 

If dessert parties return at Tomorrowland Terrace, this may very well be the best option for guaranteed views of the fireworks and castle. This does come with a cost, yet you really can’t put a price on champagne, desserts, and fireworks at Magic Kingdom. Can you? Let’s just hope, for now, that dessert parties make a comeback – at least by October!

Finally, this may be unconventional and unexpected – the view isn’t ideal, but it is different. I’m referring to the inside of Cinderella’s Castle and dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table. Fireworks that set off from behind the castle may be seen from the inside, especially if seated by a window, and the bright mosaic of flickering colors will surely make the dining experience uniquely surprising and delightful.

That wraps up this half of firework views at Walt Disney World. Stay tuned for the next post that will give insight to the best locations for views of the EPCOT firework shows- including the most anticipated HarmoniUS.

 

 

 

Where do you prefer to be to watch Magic Kingdom’s firework shows?

Are you anticipating Disney Enchantment in October? 

 

 Thinking about booking your next Disney Destination Vacation?
I can help you in the planning and the making of a magical getaway! Send me an email adrianabonetti@d2travel.com
                                                                                                                         You can also find me on Facebook Destinations To Travel With Adriana Bonetti and Instagram @D2TravelAdriana.
Special Thanks to Jamie Swanson for her photo of Cinderella’s Castle. You can find Jamie on Instagram @vacationswithjamie

INFO: Resorts Best Suited for a Family of Five

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Most hotel rooms, no matter the tier nor destination, accommodate up to 4 guests. This is fine for the majority of traveling parties vacationing as couples or fit the typical family with one or two kids. Yet, what about larger groups or families of 5 or more?

Luckily, many resorts at Walt Disney World (and all Disneyland Resorts) have rooms for parties of 5 or more- and they won’t all break the bank! Since expense is the main concern for larger groups, it would be impractical to mention Deluxe Resort Villas and Suites- even though these categories do accommodate anywhere from 5 to 12 Guests. They would be best for family reunions and that rare occasion when everyone pitches in on the bill! (Note: Standard Rooms at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Polynesian Village, and Yacht and Beach Club Resort sleep up to 5 adults).

So, which Walt Disney World Resorts are best suited for families who break the mold, exceed maximum room capacity at most hotels, and are in want of budget-friendly lodging? 

Here’s an overview of resorts by tier:

Value Resorts

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort. Family Suites. Yes, it’s a suite. Yet, a stay here is affordable in comparison to Deluxe Resort Suites. After all, this is a Value Resort. The main room, upon entering, has two Murphy beds that pull down from above the sofa and dining table, and sleep up to 4 adults. In addition, a master bedroom offers more privacy for 2 adults. That’s 6 adults total (plus infant under 3 with a pack ‘n play). The suite features two full bathrooms and a separate kitchen area with full refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and sink. 

Disney’s Art of Animation. Family Suite. Finding Nemo. Photo courtesy Disney.

Art of Animation. Family Suites. No matter the theme- Lion King, Cars, and Finding Nemo- these suites sleep up to 6 adults (plus infant under 3 with a pack ‘n play) and feature a master bedroom, pull-down table bed, sleeper sofa and two full baths. The kitchenette area is compact, yet is furnished with all the basic essentials like a mini-fridge, microwave oven, and small sink. 

Moderate Resorts

 

Wilderness Cabin at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Photo courtesy Disney.

The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness. Not only do the cabins accommodate groups of up to 6 adults, they are also furnished with full kitchens that feature a full refrigerator, microwave, sink, 2 countertop burners and a dishwasher! The sleeping arrangement, however, may not offer the same privacy as in the family suites mentioned above- the main bedroom contains both the queen bed and bunk beds (sorry parents, you’re not alone). Also, if there’s a shower hoarder in the family, the only one full bathroom may require the troop to run on a tight schedule. Still, the cabin has everything a family needs, including a spacious and private outdoor patio and a grill.

 

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside. 5th Sleeper. Photo courtesy Disney.

5th Sleeper, child-size pull down bed. Photo courtesy Disney.

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Both resorts feature rooms with what’s called a 5th Sleeper option. This means that a party of 4 adults and 1 child (not 5 adults) can comfortably stay in these rooms. The 5th sleeper is a pull down bed that measures, approximately, 33” wide by 66” long. That said, this bed is most comfortable for a child of up to about 5ft in height. (Note, Disney will not permit booking of these rooms with 5 adults.)

 

 

 

Has your family of 5 or more stayed at any of these resorts?

Do you prefer for everyone to stay in one room, or do you find it most convenient to request separate, connecting rooms?

 

 Thinking about booking your next Disney Destination Vacation?
I can help you in the planning and the making of a magical getaway! Send me an email adrianabonetti@d2travel.com
                                                                                                                         You can also find me on Facebook Destinations To Travel With Adriana Bonetti and Instagram @D2TravelAdriana.

 

INFO: Top 5 Pools and One Adults-Only Oasis at WDW

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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?

Here’s my Top 5 Pools that check off Everyone’s needs…

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 ©

And now, the moment every adult has been waiting for…the adults-only refuge…

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!

 

 

Do these pools fit the bill of your top 5? Which is your favorite? Is there one not mentioned here that you would have added?

                                                                                                                     Thinking about booking your next Disney Destination Vacation?
I can help you in the planning and the making of a magical getaway! Send me an email adrianabonetti@d2travel.com
                                                                                                                         You can also find me on Facebook Destinations To Travel With Adriana Bonetti and Instagram @D2TravelAdriana.

Disneyland’s Tomorrowland Skyline Lounge Experience

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Lanyard for Skyline Lounge Experience 2018

Watching the fireworks at Disneyland is a challenge.  Many people line the streets in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle hours before the 9:30 pm showtime.  I am not one to wait around. There are alternate places to walk up at the last minute, such as Rivers of America and It’s a Small World area.  Yet, you don’t get to see the projections on the castle, flying Tinkerbell, or the fireworks right at the castle. There is reserved seating on benches at the castle, but that is for invited guests or guests that had VIP tours that day.

Disneyland has lacked the Fireworks dessert parties that other Disney Parks have offered for years.  At Walt Disney World, you can attend dessert parties for nighttime entertainment at all four parks: Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and now Animal Kingdom.  Even Disneyland’s neighbor, Disney California Adventure, has offered a World of Color Dessert Party and now a Paint the Night Dessert Party.

If you are looking for a relaxing place to watch the fireworks from afar, try the Tomorrowland Skyline Lounge Experience!  I brought my Dad to Disneyland for the day and gave him my own VIP tour of the best of the Disneyland Resort. My Dad has not visited Disneyland in about 10 years. We visited on Disneyland’s 63rd Birthday.  He enjoyed a multitude of  rides using Maxpass, Carthay Circle Restaurant for lunch, and the Tomorrowland Skyline Lounge Experience to end the night.

The Skyline Lounge opened about a year ago and has quietly kept it’s place on the second level of the Star Wars Launch Bay.  Reserve your spot in the same way that you reserve table service restaurants at the resort.  The cost is $50 per person, no discounts, and is paid when you arrive at the lounge that night.  The lounge has several couches and high top tables with bar stools and chairs. For the best seat choice, arrive 15 minutes prior to 8:00pm when the lounge opens. You are able to come and go during the 2 hours that the lounge is open without losing your seat.

 

A host will help you take your dessert box and drinks to an available table or couch of your choice.  Drinks are unlimited, but the dessert box is the only food available. There are cans of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, and Perrier.  Coffee and hot tea are also available.  Your host will offer you games, Jenga or Connect Four, to play while you wait for the fireworks.  They also offer blankets because Southern California nights can be a bit cooler, especially up on the second level of the Launch Bay building.

A surprise from the night was a visit from Minnie Mouse.  Disney’s website did not mention character visits. Minnie spent time taking group and individual photos with all of the guests in the lounge.

The reason we book the lounge is for the fireworks views.  Anaheim was quite windy that day, and the fireworks were delayed by about 10-15 minutes.  Disney’s website says does not guarantee the fireworks. Fireworks are often cancelled at Disneyland due to winds. If fireworks are cancelled, I do not know if you will receive a partial refund of your lounge experience.  A downside of the high top tables and bar stools is that the tops of the fireworks are cut off. You are asked not to lean on the railing for viewing of the fireworks.  Most of the guests who were seated on the couches remained there to watch the fireworks. I would recommend arriving early for couch seating.

Firework view from the Skyline Lounge

Overall, I would recommend ending your day with this lounge experience. It was a great to have a seat and wait for the fireworks. The desserts were quite tasty, even as breakfast the next day! We did take the box home because we had a full day of meals and snacks already. Since the desserts come in a take-out style box, it was easy to close up and take the uneaten treats home.

Menu Revealed for Spyglass Grill at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort & is now OPEN

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Spyglass Grill, the the new quick-service eatery located at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, has opened today!  We have the first look at the menu featured at this new eatery. The venue is located between the pool and the beach at Trinidad South within the resort.

Spyglass Grill Chorizo Burger with Crispy Pork Belly, Provolone and Potato Straws served with French Fries

Lunch & Dinner

Entrées
  • Chorizo Burger $13.99
    Crispy Pork Belly, Provolone and Potato Straws served with French Fries
  • Angus Chuck Bacon Cheeseburger $12.99
    Angus Beef with Bacon and Cheese topped with Lettuce and Tomato
  • Cuban Sandwich $11.49
    Pulled Pork, Ham, Swiss, Pickles and Mustard served with Plantain and Yuca Chips
  • Smoked Turkey Breast Sandwich $10.49
    Avocado, Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato served with Plantain and Yuca Chips
  • Caribbean Taco Trio (spiced fish, shredded beef or jerk chicken) $9.99
    choice of three Tacos topped with Pickled Vegetables, Cabbage, Cilantro Crema, Cotija Cheese and Pico de Gallo served with Plantain and Yuca Chips
  • Vegan Black Bean Caribbean Taco $8.49
    with Pickled Vegetables, Cabbage and Pico de Gallo served with Plantain and Yuca Chips

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NEWS: Walt Disney World Will Begin Charging Resort Guests for Overnight Parking

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Disney is expected to soon announce that their resort hotels will be charging guests for overnight vehicle parking.

Guests bringing a car to Walt Disney World may rethink their plans when they have to pay for overnight parking at a Disney hotel.
Guests bringing a car to Walt Disney World may rethink their plans when they have to pay for overnight parking at a Disney hotel.

The new policy would require guests to pay for overnight parking, per night, at all of the Disney owned resort hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort. Disney Vacation Club guests staying using their points would not have to pay for parking as part of a new membership perk.

Prices have not yet been revealed for the overnight parking, but it will depend on the type of resort (value, moderate, and deluxe will all have different pricing). A start date has also yet to be announced.

Valet parking prices at resorts will also be raised as part of these changes. These changes will not affect guests visiting resorts for dining, shopping, or otherwise. The paid parking is only for vehicles staying at the resorts overnight.

What do you think of this change , leave us a comment below!

Disney Parks Podcast Show #438 – Disney News For the Week of March 12, 2018

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Disney Parks Podcast Show #438 – Disney News For the Week of March 12, 2018

In this episode, Tony and Parkhopper John discuss Jon Favreau creating Star wars series, Pixar Kids Experience,  Discoveryland Theatre, and so much more

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