There's Magic in the Air Tonight

Welcome everyone to the finale of Disney Magic Mondays here at The Magical Mystery Blog.

Magic makes the best moments at Walt Disney World. Magic can happen while walking down Main Street or even just sitting on a bench at Hollywood Studios. It’s spontaneous and random, just like the nightly fireworks. At Disney World you’ll be able to tell when magic hits you because it seems like you've ascended into a world you've dreamed of. It’s a wonderful moment when it happens and when it does, you’ll be awestruck and filled with belief that anything can happen.

In my thirteen years of Disney, I've had some fantastic magical moments. Below are my top ten magical memories that I hope inspire you to visit Walt Disney World in the future.

10) ALL THE DESSERT – before it became Tutto Italia, it was Ristorante Italiano. Located in EPCOT’s Italy Pavilion, my family and I dined there year after year. Our last time there wasn't a pleasant experience and to make up for it, the waiter brought us a tray of all their desserts. All of them. Strawberry shortcake, tiramisu, and tons of others. He didn't have to do that but it brought a little magic to our night and a smile to my face.

9) A Fairy Surprise – remember how I mentioned in one of my previous entries you can wake up Tinkerbell if you arrived at the Magic Kingdom extremely early? Well, on my fourth year of Disney World I did just that. It was our last day and I wanted to go to that specific park because it was (and still is) my all time favorite. That morning the cashier handed me the bell and I rang it as loud as I could, yelling the pixie’s name, and telling her to wake up. In a matter of moments, she flitted before my eyes before fading away into the store.

However, that wasn't the last I’d see of Miss Bell that day. To this day I’m not sure how my mom hid this from me but she is good, I will say that. During our flight home, my mom managed to fall asleep. Reaching for my Nintendo DS in the carry on bag, I felt something squishy. I didn't remember packing anything of that nature and pulled out a Tinkerbell binder. Containing my joy behind a smile, I eagerly opened the purple binder. Inside was a few months’ supply of Tinkerbell themed school gear such as pens, post its, and many other items. No sooner school began, I used as much as I could of the pixie styled items.

8) Fantasmic – I solemnly swear that this is the most epic show I've ever seen at Walt Disney World. Discovering this my third year at Disney World, I was spellbound by the outdoor performance of fire, puppetry, and beauty. This show takes us through the dreams of the famous mouse himself where we are met with the ultimate battle of good vs evil. I would have to say that the part that spellbound me the most was Maleficent in her gloriously dark dragon form, appearing on the rocky stage, and spewing fire onto the surrounding island. Roaring into the night, she sent chills down my spine but made me grin in elation. After seeing this show for the first time, I made it a tradition to always see it whenever I went to Disney World.

7) Beneath the Orange Moon - in my tenth year of Disney, I was transforming into a young adult. High school wouldn't last forever and college would be starting soon. What I wanted to do with my life would have to be determined as soon as possible; I couldn't keep playing Kingdom Hearts forever and somehow turn it into a career. All these thoughts and concerns were getting to me on this particular vacation and I couldn't enjoy it.

One night after walking throughout the Animal Kingdom, I decided I needed some me time. The pool at our All Star resort was filled to the brim with vacationing teenagers and a few adults sneaking in some night swimming. Finding no calm among the noise, I managed to discover an abandoned pool. Palm trees looked down upon this pool as they seemed to hold up the moon on their hunched bark backs. A serene silence invited me to this miniature, almost glowing pool as I climbed in, and proceeded to float.

Staring into the tangerine moon, my thoughts started to meld into one: what will I do with my life? After an hour, my worries seemed to be absorbed by the water. The moon appeared to steal all the questions I had about myself and reminded me of where I was. I was in Walt Disney World for the tenth time. I was in high school with a few years left before college. At that time, I had nothing to worry about other than what park to visit tomorrow. Leaving the pool with boulders off my shoulders, I smiled, knowing I could relax for a few more years.

6) Finding Elwood – for as long as I dined at Disney’s House of Blues, I never noticed Elwood until my twelfth trip. My family and I always made it a point to sit out on the water because of the beautiful scenery, excellent breeze, and wonderful environment. At the start of our eighth year of Disney, we dined there but had to sit inside due to the terrible rain.  

During this time in my life, I had discovered The Blues Brothers which I still consider to be an excellent comedic classic, and by far the greatest combined work of Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. Behind the bar area of the House of Blues was something I had never noticed before. Something that caused my heart to beat like a hummingbird flapping its wings. Hanging in the middle of the beers and vodkas rested a portrait of Jake and Elwood Blues. Giddy at this discovery, I whipped out my camera and proceeded to take a ton of pictures. Sadly, I had accidentally deleted the photos while cleaning out my camera.

5) She’s a Pirate – seniors tend to do crazy things in high school. Some drink outrageously, others party harder than the average human being, but I decided to become a pirate. On my senior trip to Walt Disney World, there was a miniature pirate show featuring Captain Jack Sparrow, and one of his sea dogs. While the outdoor performance was for children, I decided to be a part of this crowd. When Jack asked who would like to be a pirate, I raised my hand, and proclaimed my love for the dashing swashbuckler. He allowed me to join the group in declaring ourselves pirates and handed me a certificate stating my oath to piracy. Until the day I die, I will be a pirate.

Me

4) Big Thunder Mt. Railroad – whenever my mom goes to a theme park she avoids roller coasters at all cost. During our first visit to Walt Disney World, we stumbled upon Big Thunder Mt. I knew it was a roller coaster, she didn't  So I convinced her it was a gentle train ride through the wilderness. She said it sounded like fun and climbed aboard with me and my dad.

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Wildest ride in the West? No, no, it's the Tamest ride in the West.

As we began to ascend the dark tunnel, my mom suddenly realized that this was no tranquil train ride. After the first drop was where the fun began. A sudden rush of wind pushed our visors off to which my mom proceeded to scream like a fan at a QUEEN concert. Thankfully the hats were rescued by my dad who caught them and created a Kodak moment. Sadly, we lacked a Kodak camera. After the ride, I was relieved that she didn't want to strangle me for tricking her onto a roller coaster. However, she got her revenge the following year. 

3) The Haunted Mansion – as a child I hated the Haunted Mansion because I thought it housed cadaverous beasts from nightmares. The second year of Walt Disney World, my mom decided that she wanted to go on it. I’m not sure if it was payback from Big Thunder Mt. or her mere curiosity, but she dragged me through the queue. Throughout the ride I was horrified until we reached the end. When leaving the ride, my mom asked what I thought of the attraction to which I responded, “Let’s go again! Let’s go again!”

To this day she regrets taking me on the Haunted Mansion because I extremely adore it.

2) Halloween – for my sweet sixteen my dad decided to surprise me to a trip to Walt Disney World during Halloween. The weather was as warm as a hug, the season of spirits was in the air, and I was going to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. No sooner I entered our shuttle to the Magic Kingdom, comments about my costume arose like zombies. When we reached the park I became popular in just under a half hour with my outfit of the Haunted Mansion’s Beating Heart Bride (or as the Cast Members call her, Emily Cavanaugh Gracey).

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The original bride of Walt Disney World's Haunted Mansion. You know, before that Constance appeared...

After walking around the park, I managed to grab a seat for the Halloween parade.  Down Main Street U.S.A., a black mare charged through the night carrying a headless horseman with a flaming pumpkin in his grip. Through the roar of applause and wonder filled eyes, the parade started. Disney villains flooded the street, grooving out to some spirited music. Haunted Mansion ghosts waltzed through the street and in the distance, a skeleton band unleashed some wicked tunes. To top off this remarkable night was a glorious fireworks display which showcased the villains once more in orange and ebony tinted lights.

1) Bert is the Ultimate Sweetheart –Honestly, Bert is the first Disney character I ever remember seeing. As a child, I was convinced he was talking to me during the beginning of Mary Poppins. I’ll admit I had a crush on him when I was young but that faded over the years. Until I went to Walt Disney World that is, where he warmed my heart like hot fudge melting a scoop of ice cream.

The first time I met the chimney sweep was at Hollywood Studios. I was depressed because we were leaving the next day and I didn't want to leave Walt Disney World. It was our first time there and I had fallen in love with Cinderella’s Palace and wanted to live there. 

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Yeah if you can just move the flat screen to the living room I'd appreciate that....

 As the Disney Stars in Motor Cars Parade passed in front of me, I saw Bert riding his popcorn yellow horse from the movie’s horse race scene. Heavy with sorrow, I blew him a weak kiss which he caught in his hat and blew me one back. My frown was immediately transformed into a smile as I giggled and smiled with joy.

The second time I ran into Bert was on my sweet sixteen, our eleventh year of Disney. It’s rare to catch a glimpse of Mary and Bert strolling around Disney World and for them to show up on my birthday was something special. Honestly, I couldn’t ask for a better present than a hug from the chimney sweep and practically perfect nanny. It was by far one of the best birthdays and Disney experiences I've ever endured. 

This entry concludes my Disney Magic Monday entries here at The Magical Mystery Blog. From Mondays onward, I will be posting more normal things like I do on Fridays. Until then, c ya real soon. 

There's Room for a 1000

Welcome everyone to another installment of Disney Magic Mondays, here at The Magical Mystery Blog.

The weeks of summer are winding down and there’s still some Disney wisdom to be given.  This week I will be covering something extremely important to all Walt Disney World vacationers.  When booking a Disney trip, you will notice that Disney World has tons of hotel options to choose from. The lodgings are categorized in to fit what you can afford.  Whether this is your first time or your tenth time, you question what hotel will provide you with the best experience. With so many options, it can be a bit overwhelming and confusing.

In my thirteen years at Disney, I've stayed at different resorts because of my curiosity. I always like to stay at new places if I go to the same place year after year. Below are my best hotels for each category.

Best Luxury Resort

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The Contemporary – with tons of rooms to choose from, you’ll be relaxing in a classy, futuristic style.  Just outside the Magic Kingdom, this hotel is ahead of its time with a ultra-modern feel sporting the iconic mouse ears everywhere you go. This was the first hotel I stayed at and it won me over with its sleek interior and unique exterior.

Restaurants – this hotel has a little bit of everything including casual dining, fine dining, character dining, quick service, and grab and go. I've always loved to dine at Chef Mickey’s for breakfast because the first meal of the day should include pancakes, bacon, more bacon, Goofy, and Minnie Mouse. Then at dinner, I loved to dine at the California Grill because nothing says vacation like devouring a steak while watching fireworks from the roof of your hotel.

Transportation – the monorail is always seen darting through this hotel and picking up passengers while shuttles wait for people just outside the entrance. The monorail stops at the other hotels in the Magic Kingdom proximity, the Transportation and Ticket Center, and the Magic Kingdom itself. You can also walk to the Magic Kingdom. 

Something special – at night you can go out onto the pool area (or from your room's window or balcony) and watch the Water Parade. Floating canopies shaped to look like aquatic dragons, Poseidon, seahorses, mermaids, and many others are bejeweled in light. This parade happens every clear night and is a treat for the eyes.  You can also see fireworks over the Magic Kingdom at night from the higher up sections of the hotel, including the California Grill.

Villas – Luxury resorts like the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and many others include villas. The villas are the crème of the crop when it comes to rooming but they are expensive ranging from $352 at the Animal Kingdom Resort to $540 at the Grand Floridian. Moderate and Value hotels do not have this option. 

Best Moderate Resort

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Port Orleans – staying in the South has never been so wonderful. This is personally my favorite hotel because it gives you two sides to choose from: The French Quarter and the Riverside. Both sides cost the same and are located in the Downtown Disney area.  The Riverside highlights the classic Southern charm while the French Quarter is a regal Mardi Gras.

Restaurants – there are no fine dining or character dining options here. However, there are food courts, lounges, in room dining, and quick service locations aplenty.

Transportation – this hotel has a little dock which you can take a boat to the Downtown Disney section. If you easily get motion sickness or have a phobia of boats, you can also take their buses to any of the parks, and Downtown Disney.

Something Special – not too long ago, some of the rooms at this moderate hotel have received an upgrade to fit royalty. For an extra hundred, the Riverside offers Royal Guest Rooms which are themed to look like a room a Disney princess would relax in. The French Quarter does not have this option because it is already themed to look like a royal Mardi Gras.

Best Value Resort

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Pop Century – staying at this hotel is like vacationing in a time capsule because you’re surrounded by pop culture from the 50s and onward. This blast from the past of a resort is rated as one of Disney’s best Value resorts due to the close proximity of the buildings, excellent bus service, great food, and overall layout.

Restaurants – this resort also has no fine dining, signature dining, or character dining. However, it does offer a food court serving up tons of delicious choices for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. You can also purchase snacks like chips, cereal, and even beer for your room. The Pop Century hotel also presents the option of in room dining where you can order pizza or whatever else your stomach craves.

Transportation – buses offer quick rides to all the parks in Walt Disney World.

Something Special – this resort also ranks as one of the largest accommodations on Disney property. There are five sections to this hotel: 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s. All the rooms, walking areas, pools, and even quick service locations are designed to fit their specific era depending on where they’re located.

All of the resorts I have mentioned include an arcade, a laundry room, and other amenities. These hotels are extremely accommodating and have a unique theme to make them stand out from other resorts. Every hotel is distinct from its food courts to its pools and everything in between.

Since next week is the last Monday of August, I will be covering something that I hope will inspire you to take a Disney trip of your own. Until then, just keep swimming. 

Enough I'm Full!

Greetings everyone and welcome to another Disney Magic Monday here at The Magical Mystery Blog.

Wrapping up the best of eateries is the expensive restaurants. People on vacation like to enjoy their time at their destination and indulge in the finer things. They like to go to the fanciest place and live it up to the best of their ability. Walt Disney World houses tons of expensive eateries in their parks. Most of these places accept the Disney Dining Plan and require reservations by Internet or phone. The reservations are usually made between 90 – 180 days prior to time of visitation. As for attire, it’s best to dress to the nines because it shows classiness and elegance. Plus at some places listed here, it's a requirement.

While there are hotels that have expensive restaurants, this week I will be focusing on the parks. Below are fantastic expensive restaurants in Walt Disney World Parks.

First up is the Magic Kingdom.

                1)      Cinderella’s Royal Table – when dining with royalty, prepare your wallet for its royal burial. Located in the heart of Cinderella’s Castle, this is one of the more expensive character dining experiences. In my thirteen years of Disney I always tried to make reservations at this eatery (because who doesn't love breaking bread with princesses) but I found it was always booked.

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And all these tables are for the royal help. Every single last one.

The menu here is a mix of chicken, fish, and beef at a high price. Included with your dinner is a character meet and greet with Cinderella herself who poses for pictures and signs autographs before dinner is served. There are various package options for the size of your dining party and even the children get a surprise toy from Cinderella. Throughout your dining experience, other princesses and royal beings float about the room creating memories and smiles wherever they go.

Second is Hollywood Studios.

                2)       The Hollywood Brown Derby – get ready to step into the yesteryear of Hollywood in this classy restaurant. Found on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard, this eatery will make you forget you’re dining in Disney. The menu here also has various choices of meat (including bison), fish, and poultry served with a flare of elegance.

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Look at the flare. LOOK AT IT!

However, this restaurant is almost always booked. Like other expensive restaurants at Walt Disney World, it’s best to make your reservations ahead in advance. That way you’ll have a seat at the finest dining location Walt Disney World has to offer. This restaurant is also included in the Fantasmic package. This deal allows you to dine at The Hollywood Brown Derby, Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italino, or Hollywood & Vine and receive priority seating for Fantasmic. Fantasmic is an outdoor show that during your stay at Walt Disney World, you do NOT (it's emphasized that much because it's just that great of a show) want to miss. This plan is always offered at a fixed price and you must make your reservations up to ninety days in advance. 


Third is EPCOT.

                 3)      Monsier Paul – bonjour, mon amie and welcome to the classiest French restaurant Disney has to boot. Found in the France section of the World Showcase, this is not your average bistro.  Originally called Bistro de Paris, this eatery changed its name in December 2012 as a homage to Monsieur Paul Bocuse; one of the culinary geniuses behind this restaurant. Unfortunately though, this dining place isn't vegetarian friendly because most, if not all dishes, are served with some sort of meat. Needless to say, the food here is as splendid as the City of Lights itself.

           4)      Le Cellier Steakhouse – considered to be one of Disney’s most booked restaurants, Le Cellier is a Canadian restaurant that strives to satisfy your stomach. Found in the Canada Pavilion of the World Showcase, the menu here specializes in meat, chicken, and fish prepared in a Canadian style.

           5)      Akershus Royal Banquet Hall – remember Cinderella’s Royal Table? That’s basically what this is only in the Norway Pavilion of the World Showcase.  This restaurant also includes meets and greets with princesses and one supercalifragilisticexpialidocious lady. You also receive photo packages based on the size of your party but you can also purchase more photos. Just like Cinderella’s Royal Table, your photos will be delivered to you while you dine.

Fourth is Animal Kingdom.


Sadly, I could find no expensive restaurants here. Some of you may protest and claim that The Rainforest Café is one but I included that in my moderately priced restaurants. Animal Kingdom mostly consists of counter service, fast food, and moderately priced restaurants.


Last but not least, Downtown Disney.

               6)   Fulton’s Crab House – be prepared to go on a seafood diet at this grand restaurant. Floating in the harbor of Pleasure Island, this ferry boat houses the best of lobster, shrimp, flounder, and every other creature under the sea.  While the main food here is seafood, Fulton’s Crab House (or boat in this case) has chicken and meat for those who hate the taste of fish on their tongue. A little trivia for those Disney lovers out there, the riverboat used for Fulton’s was originally a gift from Walt Disney to his wife, Lily. Cause nothing says ‘I love you darling’ like an ivory ferry boat.

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Somewhere, beyond the sea...she's there...waiting for me....

             7)   Wolfgang Puck Café – food created by the famous chef awaits you at this restaurant. Across from the Virgin Megastore and next to Bongo’s Cuban Café, be prepared to taste some excellent cuisine. Fish, meat, and chicken appear on the menu but there seems to be more seafood served in different forms like sashimi and tartare.

            8)     Portobello Country – ciao mi amici, ready to pay a visit to the Old World? Right next door to Fulton’s Crab House, this Italian restaurant will make you believe you’re eating at a villa in Tuscany.  You can request a table by the water where you can stare up at the glimmering lights of Fulton’s while you dine on classic Italian dishes like pizza, pasta, chicken, and more.

And so we've come to the end of yet another Disney Magic Monday entry. If you enjoy what you’re reading, please give feedback and see you Friday.  

Diggin a Little Deeper into Disney

Welcome to another Disney Magic Monday entry at the Magical Mystery Blog.

While I mentioned I would be restaurant recommendations throughout the remainder of the summer, I decided to take a break from that this week. Rest assured, I will continue the final entry of the most expensive eateries at Walt Disney World. This week, I wanted to address a few things that will definitely bring out the magic in Walt Disney World.

As most of you know, Walt Disney World is the home of pixie dust, one man’s dream, and magic. Within this theme park are legends and secrets abound, most of which people may not know. Today I will be revealing some of Walt Disney World’s myths to you.

          1)        Hidden Mickeys. Hidden Mickeys Everywhere – the Mickey Mouse logo is an iconic image of Walt Disney World; after all, it started with a mouse. This little logo is scattered throughout the parks and rides, most of which you may or may not seen because they’re in plain sight or hidden well. An obvious hidden Mickey is in the Haunted Mansion ride. When passing above the Ballroom section, look down at the center to far left part of the table. Notice something special about those plates? 

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There's always room for one more....any volunteers? 

A second Hidden Mickey is cleverly hidden in the Italy Pavilion of EPCOT. As soon as you enter this specific section, you are greeted with a statue of Poseidon (also known as Neptune) the God of the Seas. Just behind his sculpted frame is a hidden Mickey amongst the rock. Next time you go, try to find as many Hidden Mickeys as you can! 

          2)      Wake Up Tink! – Tinkerbell is the feisty little pixie from Disney’s classic animated film, Peter Pan. She distributes pixie dust to help Peter, Wendy, Michael, and John fly to Neverland. Over the years she has gained popularity throughout the parks and public. She mostly resides in the Magic Kingdom in the shop, Tinkerbell’s Treasures, located in the Fantasyland section.  Every morning, the first person to enter this shop has the special opportunity to wake her up.  

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The person is given a gold bell and is instructed to yell 'wake up Tinkerbell' as loud as they can until the fairy arises. In a matter of minutes, Tinkerbell will flit her way around the store, and appear in a little green window behind the register. It’s a magical moment that will light up your eyes and make you believe in fairies.

          3)      A Home in the Future – when Walt designed his masterpiece theme park, he often envisioned the future as something exciting and grand. He imagined that people would be flying around in electric cars and living in harmony with fellow robots. While working on Walt Disney World, he had an epiphany: what if people could live at his park? In a matter of months, EPCOT (or as Walt called it the Environmental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow) was constructed with the intention of people living there. It would be a model community complete with schools, monorail transportation, and other necessities. It would hold at least 20,000 residents. However, instead of a living area, it is now a theme park.

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When Walt showed his idea of EPCOT to audiences everywhere on TV  he used a model. This same model can be found in the Tomorrowland Transit Authority ride. 

         4)      Maharajah Jungle Trek - If you happen to be roaming around this attraction, you will stumble upon the bird sanctuary. This area houses tons of exotic and beautiful birds from foreign countries. If you happen to be casually looking, a cast member will come up and ask if they could show you around. Say yes to this chance. They will give you a private tour of the birds in their habitat and inform you about everything there is to know about them. This happened to me during my senior trip to Walt Disney World. It was something unexpected, excellent, and of course, magical.

          5)      Tributes in the Tower – looming over Hollywood Studios is the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Glaring down at those who walk the streets, it dares strangers to pass through its doors, and enter the Twilight Zone. As you board this ride and throughout the ride, there are many references to old Twilight Zone episodes. The first one is the shattered glasses in the lobby; this is a nod to the episode, “The Last Man on Earth” who wore glasses and dropped his glasses no sooner he found the treasure trove of books.  

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Damnit and I just found the first issue of Playboy!

The second tribute is in the elevator itself. There is a inspection certificate signed by someone named Cawallader, a character from the episode “Escape Clause.”  Another reference is on that same certificate with the number 10259. 10259 translates to the date of when the first Twilight Zone episode premiered on October 2^nd, 1959. Next time you board this cursed elevator, try to point out as many references as you can.

      This concludes this week’s entry of Disney Magic Monday. Next week I will continue with the most expensive restaurants at Walt Disney World. Once again if there’s anything about Walt Disney World, feel free to comment and as always feedback and followers are welcome. 

Course by Course

           Greetings everyone and welcome to another entry of The Magical Mystery Blog.

            As mentioned last week in my Disney Magic Monday entry, I’ll be covering different types of eateries throughout the weeks to come. Today I’ll be focusing on the best fast food aka counter service throughout the parks. Some places will have more than others, just like the last entry. No reservations are needed at these walk in eateries. However, most if not all of these places tend to be crowded on a daily basis.

            Some of these eateries also serve alcohol which is great because who doesn’t love a cold one on a hot day? Below are my top counter service eateries to check out next time you’re in Disney World.

First up is the Magic Kingdom where if you wish hard enough, you may find the food of your dreams.

           1)      Casey’s Corner  - get your foot longs here, foot longs here on Main Street U.S.A.! Just before the Castle on the corner of Main Street U.S.A. lies this small eatery dedicated to America’s pastime. Featuring foods like hot dogs, chili, and everything in between you’ll be having a fantastic lunch.

           2)      Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe – with different bays to order at, you have tons of choices at this food court styled eatery. Located in Tomorrowland, this cafe won’t break your wallet with its different selections of chicken, burgers, and other delicious options.

           3)      Columbia Harbor House – tucked away in the Liberty Square section of the Magic Kingdom, this small eatery houses chicken, seafood, and many other dishes. This colonial themed counter service restaurant also updated its menu not too long ago. It now features lobster roll and grilled salmon.

           4)      Pecos Bill Tale Tall Inn & Café –  you can wrassle up some grub at this popular café out on the dusty streets of Frontierland. With the Country Bear Jamboree to its left, you cannot miss this bustling eatery that houses burgers, salads, and some Tex Mex food.

           5)      Be Our Guest – while this was on last Monday’s entry for being a sit down restaurant, it also doubles as a counter service eatery. Offering the same menus as it does for dinner, this Beauty and the Beast themed restaurant lives to serve.

Next is EPCOT where you get to explore a world of flavors and unique dishes.

      6)  Sunshine Seasons Food Fair – feel like eating healthy while you’re on vacation? Then look no further, because this counter service restaurant has just what you’re looking for. Located in the Future World of EPCOT, this place boasts various types of food like chicken, salmon, and many more.

      7) Tangerine Café – this café in the Morocco section of the World Showcase offers huge portions for little price. Specializing in Moroccan food, this eatery has wraps, salads, and filling dishes for any hungry stomach.

      8) Katsura Grill – across from Teppan Edo in the Japan section of the World Showcase, this café offers your typical Japanese dishes. These include different styles of udon (noodles), spring rolls, sushi, and even dessert.

      9) La Cantina de San Angel – hola amigos e amgias! In the mood for Mexican? Then look no further. Right on the lagoon of the World Showcase is this fresh Mexican eatery, offering your traditional Mexican foods of tacos, nachos, burritos, empanadas, and other options.

     10) Yorkshire County Fish Shop – if you’re looking to sample London’s classic snack then is the place for you. This eatery only serves fish and chips, a cookie, and drinks. That’s it. While that may sound like a bad thing, the food here is actually quite tasty, and draws a good crowd. This eatery is found in the United Kingdom section of the World Showcase, right next to the Rose and Crown Pub.

     11) Kringla Bakeri og Café – offering a ton of options of sandwiches and sweets, this little café will warm its way into your heart and stomach. Located in the Norway part of the World Showcase across from Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, this miniature eatery won’t destroy your wallet, and houses some Norwegian classic pastries like lefse and rullekake.


Third, Hollywood Studios where the food is always the main support to your magic filled day.

     12) Starring Rolls Café – near the Hollywood Brown Derby, this miniature eatery offers sushi, sandwiches, and even unique cupcakes. Not only does this café have food to satisfy your stomach but your sweet tooth as well.

     13) ABC Commissary –along Commissary Lane, this food court offers different options to ease your hunger. Here they serve specialties like quinoa, seafood, and even an Asian salad among other dishes. This eatery also shows clips of ABC sponsored shows like Modern Family, America’s Funniest Home Videos, and many others all to entertain you while you eat.

     14) Fairfax Fare – Beneath the shadowy Tower of Terror lies this eatery, themed to look like an outdoor Californian market. Serving up your typical Americana food of burgers, chicken, barbecue dishes, and more, this restaurant offers shade and tons of seats for you to relax in. Unlike other counter service locations, this one also offers breakfast up until lunch time.

    15) Studio Catering Co – lights, camera, food! Dine beneath the shade of this food court styled eatery located right next to Honey I Shrunk the Kids play set. With different choices of sandwiches, wraps, and salads you cannot go wrong at this inexpensive restaurant.

Fourth, Animal Kingdom where your food is wild.

    16) Flame Tree Barbeque – if you feel like getting in touch with your inner dinosaur, then this is the place to do it. Serving up half a pound of ribs for only $10.49, you’ll tear into the food here like a tyrannosaurus rex through a triceratops. Of course this place offers other options like chicken and much more.

     17) Anadapur Yak and Yeti Restaurant – seated in depths of Asia, this food court restaurant offers ethnic foods such as beef lo mein, sweet and sour chicken, and others. For those who aren’t a fan of foreign foods, this eatery also serves sandwiches and salads.

     18)  Restaurantosaurus – if your stomach isn't roaring at the sound of this eatery, then wait til you step inside. In the heart of Dino Land U.S.A., this food court styled restaurant gives you protection from the monstrous sun. Offering various delicious dishes like cheeseburgers (cause who doesn't love a good cheeseburger in the summer time), po’ boys, salads, and many others, this eatery will calm your carnivorous hunger.

    19) Tusker House Restaurant – I was conflicted to put this on last week’s entry or this week’s entry. I decided to put it here because it’s a buffet, where you do sit down but you get your own food – much like you would at a counter service eatery. This food court style restaurant boasts a combination of African and American foods and drinks.  Foreign foods include curry chicken, seafood stirred with tamarind barbecue sauce, and many others. For those who like to stray away from different foods, they have tons of rotisserie meats, salads, and vegetables.

    20) Anywhere with churros – this is not the name of a restaurant, this is just a word to the wise. Churros taste like the wings of angels if they were plucked from the sky, toasted in cinnamon, and given the texture of clouds. If you see a snack vendor selling churros anywhere in the parks (Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and/or EPCOT), do yourself a favor and get one. Maybe two or three if you really enjoy them.

This concludes this week’s entry on counter service throughout the parks. If you have any comments or questions about anything at Walt Disney World, please feel free to comment. If you also have any suggestions of what you would like to see me write, comment as well. Until the next entry, have a magical week. 

Be Our Guest

Greetings everyone and welcome to another edition of Disney Magic Monday.

As the day grows later, the stomach grows hungrier. One glance at a clock and suddenly it’s supper time. This week I will be tackling the best moderately priced, table service restaurants throughout the parks. I’m only highlighting these in this entry because in the weeks to come I will be featuring the best counter service places and expensive eateries. I also find that more families attend the moderately priced restaurants to not only have a nice night out but to squeeze in a few souvenirs for the trip home. 

Just one more pair of mouse ears....

Reservations are highly recommended for these restaurants so it’s best to make them before you go. Most of these places also accept the Disney Dining Plan so prepare to come on an empty stomach and eat to your heart’s content. 

First up, the Magic Kingdom.

      1)      Tony’s Town Square – on any bella notte, you can have Italian dishes at this restaurant based on the Disney classic, Lady and the Tramp. Located next to the Exposition Hall near the entrance of the Magic Kingdom, I personally recommend the classic lasagna dish for dinner and the Pistachio Crème Brulee for dessert. It sounds strange but it will create stars in your eyes and a place in your heart.

      2)      Be Our Guest – put this new restaurant’s service to the test, believe me everything here is delicious. I've heard gratuitous reviews about this place and based on the appearance and menu I can trust them. However, I was conflicted whether to put this one in the expensive restaurant entry or today’s entry. I put it here because it has moderately priced dishes with the exception of one pricey dish – much like you would find at any other restaurant.

Seated in the New Fantasyland you dine in the Beast’s ballroom, West Wing, or the Rose Gallery with the master roaming around every so often.  This restaurant also doubles as a counter service area during lunch time. While I haven’t dined here yet, I've heard positive notes about the Sauteed Shrimp and scallops.

Second, Downtown Disney. I am including this one because it houses tons of moderately priced, table service restaurants.

      3)      Crossroads at the House of Blues – as a Jersey girl, I've been to Atlantic City’s House of Blues. That seaside version of the famous restaurant is nothing when compared to the one in Downtown Disney. I’m not sure what it is to be honest but the food is amazing and it has become a family tradition to eat here every year. I would always order what I call the Triple Soul Dinner which was a combination of their Margarita Pizza, Sweet Potato fries, and Cornbread with maple syrup. However, since my last visit in 2009 the House of Blues menu has changed just a tiny bit to add some Mexican flare. They now serve quesadillas, tacos, and other traditional dishes. This restaurant is across from Cirque du Soleil La Nouba (also known as the giant white tent) in the West Side of Downtwon Disney.

      4)      Cap’n Jack’s – feel like getting high tonight? You’ll receive a highly enjoyable plate of food and service at this restaurant. Located in the Marketplace on the docks, this is your typical seafood restaurant. Rest assured though they do serve pasta, chicken, and other non-sea based foods. They make a fantastic pina colada (virgin or dirty) and I highly recommend that.

      5)      Bongo’s Cuban Café – this restaurant is for the daring, the adventurous, and the different. Across from Something Silver in the West Side of Downtown Disney, this restaurant also doubles as counter service at lunch. Featuring a vast amount of Cuban foods and a few bars, you’ll be having the time of your vacation. Personally I recommend the arroz con pollo which comes with a side of plantains and saffron yellow rice.

Third, up is Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

      6)      Sci Fi Dine in Theater – you don’t need the DeLorean to go back to the 1950s but you do need reservations. Seated at the end of Commissary Lane near Muppet Vision 3D, you’ll be transported to the 50s by way of old clips, traditional American food, and servers in roller skates. On a large screen, black and white movie trailers, commercials, and cartoons play for your entertainment.  This year they updated their menu while keeping some of their old dishes. Personally I recommend the fried dill pickles and the All American Picnic Burger.

       7)      Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano –  know what’s good? Pizza. Know what’s even better? Brick oven pizza and that’s exactly what you get at Mama Melrose’s. Brick oven pizzas add an overall soft smokiness to the edible disk with a nice crunch. Of course this little restaurant offers other classic Italian dishes at a moderate price. You can find this seemingly small eatery next to the Premiere Theater, just behind Muppet Vision 3D.

Fourth is EPCOT.

      8)      The Coral Reef – this restaurant is a good catch or a sinker but based with my experiences and reviews, it’s usually a good catch. Located in The Seas with Nemo and Friends, you’ll be surrounded by tanks filled to the brim with fish (and possibly your dinner). You’ll feel as though you’re dining in an octopus’ garden with a seafood based menu that has a few non-fish dishes  I personally recommend the coral reef lobster orecchiette pasta. It’ll have you diving under the sea for more.

      9)      Tutto Italia Ristorante – or in English, “All Italian Restaurant”. Originally this restaurant was Alfredo’s Italian Ristorante but it just received a new look and title. The menu appears to be the same from when I went during Alfredo’s era. Located in the Italy section of Epcot’s World Showcase, this restaurant is nothing but Italian dishes. Personally I suggest the cannoli or mocha tiramisu for dessert and the gnochetti for dinner. Mangiate mi amici!

      10)   Teppan Edo – in the mood for fast food for dinner? Watch as a master chef prepares your Japanese dinner before you in this classic hibachi restaurant located in the Japan section of the World Showcase. Very clean cut and sleek, the chefs will stun you with their cooking shows, and delight you with dinner. This menu is unique because it has a little bit of everything, even vegetables for non-meat lovers. As a big fan of meat and chicken though, I highly recommend the Tori dish which is chicken breast with seasonal vegetables, udon noodles, and steamed rice.

      11)   Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room – pull up a chair in this classic English restaurant found in the United Kingdom section of the World Showcase. The food here is nothing but English which can be a bit dull in comparison to other foods but it is quite delectable. Personally I suggest the slow cooked chicken curry which is mix of both English and Indian cultures.  That way you get a bite of something different from two exotic lands.

      12)   Restaurant Marrakesh – dinner and a show can be found at this Moroccan restaurant located in the Moroccan part of the World Showcase. You’ll be treated as royalty when you feast at this lantern lit eatery. The menu here features classic Moroccan dishes and during your meal, you are treated to the divine belly dancers of Restaurant Marrakesh. I highly recommend the chicken kebabs with the combination appetizer for two and the Moroccan symphony for dessert.

Lastly, there’s the Animal Kingdom.

      13)   The Rainforest Café – I put this one here because you can find it in this park and in Downtown Disney. Surrounded by the sounds and sights of the jungle, your menu is as extensive as the Amazon rain forest. The only downside to this place is that it does not accept the Dining Plan but other than that, it’s a terrific eatery. Found in the entrance of Animal Kingdom you cannot miss the welcoming eyes of animals surrounding the classic logo. For a spicy dish, I suggest the Brave New World entree which is smoky chicken with a variety of cheeses and barbecue sauce.

     

We've come to the conclusion of our theme park feasts. Next time you go to Disney, don’t forget to reserve a spot at any of these moderately priced table service restaurants. Once again feedback and followers are welcome. If you want me to highlight any other Walt Disney World related matter, please leave a comment. Until then, all you need is faith, trust, and pixie dust to make your dreams come true. 

Just Keep Swimmin

Hello everyone, get ready to get pumped in this week’s Disney Magic Monday entry!

For the past few weeks, I have discussed the mystical Walt Disney World theme park. I have touched upon helpful tips, renovations, and Fastpasses for those monstrous mobs of ride lines. Today, I will be talking about one topic that has not surfaced: The water parks.

Walt Disney World has two large water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Both of which you have to purchase a separate ticket for called Water Park, Fun, and More. This ticket costs $53.00 and will allow you to get into the water parks more than once. It’s basically a Park Hopper but for Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. They are not considered part of the Park Hopper option because that only covers theme parks, not water parks.

Blizzard Beach is the result of a freak snow storm being melted by the blazing Floridian sun and Typhoon Lagoon is a surfer’s paradise struck by a hurricane. Originally there was a third water park called River Country which was themed to look like an old swimming hole that Huckleberry Finn would visit.  It closed in 2002 and was rumored to re-open if there was enough public demand. However, the public did not respond to this condition which made River Country shut down permanently.   

River Country was not only the first water park at Disney World but it was often featured in old Disney programs like The Mickey Mouse Club and Camp Out at Walt Disney World. Personally I remember seeing it in the Camp Out at Walt Disney World   VHS which is probably in my attic right now. Back then I wanted to visit River Country in hopes of joining Goofy water skiing and slipping down the slides.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adVPIB5mKEQ

To this day, River Country is abandoned and lurking somewhere on Disney’s property. As for the other two water parks, they are up and running throughout the year except for the winter. These parks are mostly visited throughout the summer due to the intense Floridian weather.  However, despite these two water parks’ different themes, it is a matter of which one is worth the Water Park, Fun, and More ticket. Given the weather and time they are staying, most people tend to go to the theme parks, and one water park. Some go to both water parks if the heat is ungodly and if they have enough time.

Below are a few comparisons between Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon to help you decide which water park is better:

          1)      RIDES – both of these parks have tons of water slides, a children’s play area (with even more slides), a wave pool, and a lazy river. From how it appears, they are almost designed in the same fashion but given a different color scheme and name. To fit their melted ski resort theme, Blizzard Beach also has a chairlift which takes you above the bustling bikini and board short clad crowd. Its final destination is Summit Plummet, Slush Gusher, and Teamboat Springs. Summit Plummet also happens to be the nation’s tallest water slide.

The Black Diamond Slope of Blizzard Beach.

At the highest point of Blizzard Beach, this wintry monster of a slide sends you down on your back at a 120 foot slope (12 stories). Shooting through a dark tunnel you feel the water on your back, only to emerge from the darkness and see your final speed as you come to a watery halt. The chairlift and Summit Plummet are not replicated at Typhoon Lagoon because it would clash with the surfer’s paradise theme. However, Typhoon Lagoon boasts the world’s largest outdoor wave pool.

          2)      FOOD – at some point during the day, one needs to get off the slides and satisfy the stomach. Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach offer fast food like burgers, salads, hot dogs, sandwiches, pizza, fries, chicken tenders, and other quick meals. All of these snacks are cheap ($15 and under) and also include theme park specialties like Hurricane Rum Amber and Garbage Pail sundae at Typhoon Lagoon and the Blizzard Dog (or Tropic Dog) and unique doughnuts at Blizzard Beach. Both parks also serve alcohol and refillable souvenir cups in some eateries.  Some places in Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach accept the Disney Dining Plan. 

           3)      OTHER ACTIVITIES – Typhoon Lagoon offers other events that do not require a tube, patience, or your back. To accompany their surfer’s paradise theme, Typhoon Lagoon has a totally righteous event called Teenage Beach Movie: Beach Party. Throughout the day, remixes of classic music are blasted on the beach with tons of fun things to do like a radical dance contest, hula hooping, and more. But for those who find beach party activities boring, there are a few more daring events that can be done. Deep in Typhoon Lagoon, lies a coral reef infested with sharks ready to make your aquatic acquaintance.  For no extra cost and no certification, you can snorkel with nurse and bonnethead sharks along with stingrays and blue tangs.

Blue tangs just like Dory. That's right, you get to swim with Dory. Don't forget to swim, swim, swim.

       
Typhoon Lagoon also gives surfing lessons on select days before the water park opens. To take part in learning how to hang ten on the nose, you must make reservations before your trip because the lessons tend to fill up quickly. They only take twelve people per session.

Sadly, Blizzard Beach does not offer any other activities.

         4)      CROWDS  - Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach have their fair share of crowds, especially during the summer. Though I would have to say after twelve years of Disney water park experience (during my last year I did not go to either water park because of nonexistent rain), Typhoon Lagoon is the most popular. There’s something about the nautical surfer theme that the crowd can relate to. It reminds them of summer on the beach with sea salt in the wind or the Beach Boys’ hit, "Kokomo". 

Hotstays.com
Well at least you're six and a half hours from Kokomo, let alone Key Largo....

          5)      EXPLORATION  - Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach nearly have the same amount of things to do. While it takes more than one day to explore the theme parks, the water parks are different. You can usually see and do everything in one day, regardless of what water park you visit. The best times are to visit are when the park opens and when it’s almost time to close. Throughout the day. both water parks are immensely crowded. However, the first few days of the week are not that packed. Both parks also have extra magic hours so you can squeeze in a few more water slides before going to your next destination.

Between these two parks, Typhoon Lagoon is my all time favorite because it was the first water park I ever went to. However, as I grew older I began to favor Blizzard Beach due to its theme and their endless playlist of Christmas music. But after twelve years at these water parks, I would have to say Typhoon Lagoon is still my favorite for the narly nostalgia, the righteous theme, and their excellent relaxing area.

If you want to know any other Walt Disney World aspects or information on the other parks, feel free to comment. Also, don’t forget to follow my blog for more Disney Magic Mondays and Friday entries. Until then, stay cool. 

A Whole New World

Greetings everyone and welcome to another installation of Disney Magic Monday here at The Magical Mystery Blog.

With time comes change and a desire for something new, improved, and fantastic. Out with the old and in with the new and for Disney, this is no exception. Disney likes to keep up with the changing times to satisfy its massive population. Below are a few renovations you might not know of that show that Disney is magically changing.

           1)      New Fantasyland – this is the biggest renovation which opened on December 6^th, 2012.  This new location dominates the eastern half of the Magic Kingdom and is based on the Disney princesses. Towering over the rest of the park is Beast’s Castle where the Be Our Guest character dining restaurant presides. This castle also serves as a staple to show the Belle section of the New Fantasyland which includes a meet and greet opportunity with her. I find that there are more eateries when it comes to this new Beauty and the Beast section. Along with Be Our Guest, there are two fast food places, and a tavern.

Oh and also Gaston. Cause no one forgets Gaston!

Next to this is Ariel’s area with her new ride, Journey of the Little Mermaid, and her grotto. While there isn’t much of her, I hope there will be more of Ariel in the future. By next year (or 2015 at the latest), the new Snow White Mine Dwarf coaster will be in full operation, and replace the Snow White’s Scary Adventures ride.  It will be located in the heart of the New Fantasyland and be just like Big Thunder Mt. only with ‘It’s Off to Work We Go’ blasting at every twist and turn. 

However, there are traces of New Fantasyland escalating in the original Fantasyland.  Just behind the castle is another area in construction entitled the Princess Fantasy Hall.  By late 2013, this section will be opened up to the public where thousands can meet Disney princesses such as Cinderella, Aurora, Jasmine, and Snow White. The only downside to this new character meet and greet is that they had to tear down Snow White’s Scary Adventures. Towards the end of original Fantasyland, just before Liberty Square, visitors are introduced to another new aspect of New Fantasyland. Looming over the Haunted Mansion in all its royal glory is Rapunzel’s tower. The area below houses restrooms and a comfortable relaxing area for those who have walked throughout the Magic Kingdom.

          2)      Dumbo – believe it or not, this is the one of the most popular rides in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.  There’s something nostalgic and magical about taking flight on an elephant that children and parents adore. Over the years, this ride has had extremely crowded lines with a usual wait time of 30 – 75 minutes or more (unless you have a Fastpass).  After realizing that having people wait so long for a simple ride, Disney decided to do something about it. In March 2013, the Magic Kingdom opened The Storybook Circus as a part of their new Fantasyland. This particular section features not one but two Dumbo rides, the Barnstormer roller coaster (originally found in Toon Town but they moved it here), a character meet and greet, an indoor playground, and a miniature water play area.

Along with this new area, Disney also created a new way to board the Dumbo ride. As opposed to standing around and waiting for the line to gradually decline, ride operators now hand out pagers. The pagers flash and vibrate when the next ride is ready for boarding. While parents and children wait for the next available seats on Dumbo, they can relax in the large queue room. That’s right, you don’t have to wait under a canopy anymore. Instead you get to hang out in an air conditioned room themed to look like the big top circus from the Dumbo film. The only downside to this new renovation is that they had to eliminate Toon Town just to build it. 

          3)      Downtown Disney – while this renovation has not been completed yet, it is currently happening as we speak. In 2016, Imagineers are hoping to finish the new Downtown Disney or as it will soon be called, Disney Springs. The Downtown Disney we have all come to know and love, will be replaced by a Southern, Spanish atmosphere. The buildings will be redesigned to fit a Southern celebration theme with architecture similar to the Coronado Springs Disney resort.
 

      Disney Springs will also have separated sections, one for the overall marketplace (yes most of the stores will still be there including the Lego Shop and Once Upon a Toy), one for dining, and one for something else. Disney Springs was initially supposed to be the makeover of Pleasure Island but the Imagineers decided to take it a step further. Pleasure Island, I believe will also be a part of the renovation. 

           4)      Big Thunder Mt. Railroad – the ride itself did not receive a renovation. However, the queue line did. Since this is a popular coaster of the Magic Kingdom, the lines tend to be crowded. Sometimes the ride can even boast a 45 minute wait. People, especially children, tend to get antsy waiting in line for so long. In an attempt to remedy this, Disney added an interactive queue line which also added a story to the overall ride itself. Unlike EuroDisney where their Big Thunder Mt. story ties in with Phantom Manor’s, the Walt Disney World Big Thunder Mt. has a story all its own. Big Thunder Mt. was once a mining company owned by billionaire, Barnabas T. Bullion.

In his spare time, Mr. Bullion tried to make bouillon cubes out of bullion gold.  

       
As you make your way towards the ride, you venture through Barnabas’ office, tour through an explosives magazine room, and even get to help some of the miners out with their duties. You get to take part in mining activity by setting off some dynamite and even watching miners mine for gold through a subterrascope. This renovated line was completed this year and is in full operation.

          5)      Test Track – as mentioned in last week’s Disney Magic Monday entry, Test Track is a popular ride at EPCOT. On December 6^th, 2012 this Chevrolet sponsored ride was given a new, futuristic look.

You could say it's so futuristic it looks like Tron.

Now you can customize your own car and drive it through the test course. You decide what your car looks like, how it runs, how quick it responds to your command, and how much gas it saves by going green. The entire design phase is all done on a touch screen which gives you a whole new way of creating a car. Once you’re finished crafting your ride, you climb into a test car, and throughout the test run see how well your car does. When the ride is over, a screen will appear and show you how your car did. 

If there’s any information about any Disney Park (Disney World included) you would like to know about, feel free to comment, and I’d be more than happy to respond. Until then, have a little faith, trust, and pixie dust.