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Disney Parks Podcast

All the Disney Parks in One Podcast

INFO: Top 5 Splash Zones at Walt Disney World

March 17, 2021 By Tony Caselnova

Not all pools on Walt Disney World property are alike, and the same can be said of the splash zones, or aquatic play areas, that have been catching on throughout resorts over the years. Yet, not all resorts have these designated areas of water play for kids, and some are very basic geyser, ground sprays – this is commonly seen in Disney’s Value Resorts.

Aquatic Play Areas that go a little beyond sprays can be found at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Port Orleans Resort-French Quarter, Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian Village Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Riviera Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Fort Wilderness Resort, and Animal Kingdom Villas–Kidani Village. The first ever installed on site is the Water Play Fort at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, which is ok– but I want to share with you those that will definitely give any kid a blast!

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Reminder: Height requirement for most splash zones is 48″ and under, unless otherwise noted.

Alice in Wonderland Wet Play Area, Disney’s Grand Floridan Resort & Spa: Everyone is mad here- crazed mad with excitement as the Mad Hatter’s gigantic hat tips and pours a deluge of water over the kids! This isn’t just a splash zone- it’s a “you’ll get drenched’  zone. Don’t let those dainty golden teapots fool you!

Kiki Tikis Splash Area, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort: This spacious splash and play area features everything from a climbing zone with rope bridges, thatched roof huts, water squirting tikis, fountains and slides. All set within the lush, tropical landscaping of a South Pacific retreat.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

 

Aquatic Play Area by Double Lagoon, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort-French Quarter: Decked out in vibrant, Mardi Gras colors, this whimsical water play area will not leave one inch dry once the kids are done here. There’s slides, sprays, fountains, water canons, a water wheel- and all of this is right by the Sea Serpent Slide at the Double Lagoon pool. Staying at the Riverside? No worries- guests at both Port Orleans Resorts share pools which are within less than 10 minutes of each other. *Note: Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts are currently closed.

The Shipwreck Play Area, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Located by the Fuentes del Morro pool, there’s much swashbuckling fun for little ones. Three slides and a tipping water barrel is a sure win on a hot, Florida day.

 

The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World

Splash Zone at Explorer Island, Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World: I beg to call this anything but a splash zone. It’s more like a water park! There’s interactive fountains blasting water 30ft into the air, cascading waters, curtains of water and fog- all choreographed within a complex of ancient Roman ruins and arches. All of this is just part of the entirety of a 5 acre water park waiting to be discovered by everyone in the family.

Honorable Mention: Uwanja Camp, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas-Kidani Village: There are 3 distinct zones to provide hours of fun for kids of ALL ages. The Observation Station is a jungle playground for children under 4 with a small kiddie pool, rope bridges, and gentle ground-bubbling geysers. Children ages 5 to 7  gather round the leaky water tower at Departure Zone, and kids 8 years and up can squirt water cannons and get soaked under the dumping water bucket station at Base Camp. This is ideal  for families with kids of varying age groups.

 

Do these splash zones 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.

INFO: Character Dining Outside the Parks

February 8, 2021 By Tony Caselnova

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. 

 

Chef Mickey’s Family Feast

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

 

Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy & His Pals

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

 

 

Breakfast a la Art with Mickey & Friends

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

 

 

*Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast

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

 

*Best Friends Breakfast feat. Lilo & Stitch

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.

*Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast

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.

*Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White

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

This last location has 3 Character Dining Experiences…

Supercalifragilistic Breakfast, Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner, and Wonderland Tea Party

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.

 

 

Have you dined at any of the locations listed? Would any of these replace the iconic Cinderella’s Royal Table at Cinderella’s Castle?

Where have you enjoyed the best character dining experience?

 

 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 fellow colleagues and independent travel agents at Destinations To Travel for their collaboration with photographs from their own travels!

Disney Parks Podcast Show #298 – Disney News For The Week Of August 2, 2016

August 3, 2016 By Tony Caselnova

ddp-289bDisney Parks Podcast Show #298 – Disney News For The Week Of August 2, 2016

In this episode, Tony and Parkhopper John discuss new DVC events at Disneyland, Flying Fish Reopens, New Attraction at Typhoon Lagoon, and so much more.

Don’t miss our Infotainment Show this Friday! 

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  • Disney Parks Podcast Show #298 – Disney News For The Week Of August 2, 2016

Reservations Now Open for Narcoossee’s Waterfront Brunch

September 16, 2015 By Tony Caselnova

NWB4896722-613x345Imagine a blissfully indulgent, leisurely Sunday brunch with panoramic views of Seven Seas Lagoon. Relax and relish sophisticated flavors at Narcoossee’s Waterfront Brunch, which will take place Sunday mornings, beginning November 22.

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