The Walt Disney World Blog

Walt Disney World Vacation Information and Advice

Jingle Cruise at Magic Kingdom

Posted on November 14, 2013 by waltdisneyworldblog

Yes, that’s correct… Jingle Cruise. It is not a typo. This holiday season Disney Imagineers are transforming the classic attraction Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom into the Jingle Cruise to bring some extra holiday magic to guests. Bits of holiday decor have been added to the attraction, including the boats, a little holiday music can be heard, and the cheesy jokes will take on holiday punch lines.

Now as you know I’m all for one holiday at a time. Being November, I’d like to give the turkey a chance to gobble before I go plunging into the holidays. And while I won’t be posting any big holiday posts until after Thanksgiving, I saw this video the Disney Parks Blog released about the Jingle Cruise and I couldn’t help but share!

Disney Parks Blog Jingle Cruise Video

This is the first time Imagineers have ever tweaked an attraction at WDW for the Holiday Season. At Disneyland, The Haunted Mansion takes on a Nightmare Before Christmas Theme for late September through early January, becoming Haunted Mansion Holiday. I think it’s such a great way to bring a new face to a classic. Special experiences are what make the holidays exciting, and this is a great way for Disney to up their game and provide a special experience to guests. I certainly wish I was traveling to the parks this holiday season to experience the Jingle Cruise!

W.T.D.W. – Prince Charming Regal Carrousel at Magic Kingdom

Posted on November 13, 2013 by waltdisneyworldblog

When is the last time you rode a carousel? They’re so enchanting. Full of beautifully carved horses trimmed with detail, winding around to tinkling music. I don’t know many people who wouldn’t be awed by their charm.

In the heart of New Fantasyland, directly behind Cinderella Castle, is Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. Originally known as Cinderella’s Golden Carousel, the name changed in June of 2010 to Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. The name may be new, but this ride is anything but. Originally crafted in 1917 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Co., this carousel took residence in Detroit, Michigan until 1928 when it moved to Maplewood, New Jersey. In 1967 Disney purchased it and completely refurbished it – painting each horse by hand. In true Disney fashion, no attention to detail was spared. There are 90 unique horses and one chariot, all trimmed in gold, banners, and flowers. Only one has a gold bow tied on the tail, which some say belongs to Cinderella. Of the 90 horses, 72 are still from the original carousel.

Prince Charming Regal Carousel brings the Cinderella story to life as it turns, with 18 ornate hand-painted vignettes. During the day, bright and vibrant colors give the ride life, but at night, 2,300 lights give the carousel a glimmering magic. The music is a medley of beloved organ tunes that give mix of fun and nostalgia as the horses spin, bringing a cool breeze to your face (and I suspect a smile to your heart).

Prince Charming Regal Carousel is a no-brainer for kids. Young ones love the entire experience, and if they are like me as a child (OK… and probably still as an adult), take special care to select just the right horse. As an adult I will often overlook this experience, making more room in my schedule for more dare-devilish attractions. But I think that is silly of me, and next trip I will be sure to fit in a turn around on the carousel with my prince charming. After all, I love going to WDW so I can let go and be a kid again. I do think that I’ll take a nighttime spin though. How can you resist the lights?

W.T.D.W. – The Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom

Posted on October 30, 2013 by waltdisneyworldblog

Welcome, foolish mortals, to WHAT TO DO WEDNESDAY. Oh how I have been waiting so patiently!! Ever since summer, when I began WHAT TO DO WEDNESDAY, I have been dying (get it?!) to write about The Haunted Mansion. One of my (and hubby’s) absolute all-time WDW favorites – this attraction has it all. It’s spooky, it’s humorous, it’s classic, it’s SO much fun!! I decided to save it for Halloween, and I am very, very glad it’s finally here!

Located in Liberty Square this delightful family fun attraction has been around since the Magic Kingdom opened in October of 1971. It has been refurbished with some minor updates inside, and a new interactive queue has been recently added outside, but for the most part it is still the same as the day it opened.

While in the queue you can take two paths: interactive or regular standby. The last time hubs and I were there, the interactive queue was a bit longer, so we skipped it. However, if you have kiddos, or you just want some extra fun – don’t pass it by! It’s worth a few more minutes. Last week, when I talked to you all about Muppet Vision 3D, I mentioned my friend Patrick. Allow me to properly introduce him to you: Patrick, or Pa-track as I sometimes call him, is one of my most fabulous friends. We met when working together on the Disney College Program in 2005. Patrick is the only one of my CP (College Program) friends who lives in proximity to me. The rest of my dear friends are scattered across the country. Patrick is in love with The Muppets, soccer, photography, movies, museums, and he is a complete goofball who always makes me smile. Meet Patrick:

Like I said, Pat is a goofball, he has personality. He obviously enjoyed the interactive queue at The Haunted Mansion. When looking through photos from my brother’s last visit to The Haunted Mansion, I noticed something interesting – Pat and my brother’s girlfriend Cindy have strikingly similar ideas. Pat and Cindy, while they have met, do not really know each other, and did not visit the interactive queue together. Behold:

My favorite part of this is the look on the little boys face as he watches Pat act like a goober at the organ. But isn’t it funny how similar the pictures are?? I think the above collages provide plenty of evidence as to why you should check out the interactive queue.

At the end of the queue (interactive and regular standby) you will notice a graveyard on your left. Be sure to read the tombstones – they have enjoyable inscriptions. And you just might notice an odd thing or two happen…

Once you enter the mansion, you and a small group of others will be guided into an octagonal portrait gallery. Here you first meet your host, “your ghost host.” He talks about the portraits in the room, which begin to stretch, and reveals how each person met their demise. Before long you proceed to the ride portion of the attraction, where you get to tour the mansion.

You tour the haunted mansion in black vehicle that seats two people called a “Doom Buggy.” Guided by your “ghost host,” your tour of the mansion takes you through several rooms where a variety of spiritual occurrences can be seen. In the ballroom there are ghosts waltzing to an organ tune around a decadent dinner table. The hallway displays paintings with shifty eyes and knocking doors. Madam Leona is in her crystal ball while invisible spirits from the beyond sound musical instruments. The bride’s beating heart thumps ominously as portraits suggest the fate of her beloved. No haunted tour would be complete before a spin through the graveyard. The Haunted Mansions’ graveyard has plenty of ghosts popping out from out of nowhere and singing busts serenade you in barbershop style. And of course, as you head to exit you should watch for hitchhiking ghosts. This attraction is spilling over with details – sights and sounds, and now matter how many times you visit you always notice new things.

The Haunted Mansion has 999 happy haunts, but there’s room for 1,000…

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!

Posted on October 7, 2013 by waltdisneyworldblog

Boo to you! I am really excited to share a little of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party with you today. I love Halloween and this special event is packed full of entertainment that makes it a spectacular time for all.

Starting in September, Magic Kingdom undergoes a transformation where pumpkins, scarecrows, and festive banners deck the entrance and Main Street, U.S.A. for all guests to enjoy. On select nights, Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party from 7:00 PM to midnight. The party is a special ticketed event, requiring a separate ticket for admission. Even though Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party begins in mid-September, I couldn’t bring myself to talk about it until October when Halloween is closer. (It’s like seeing Christmas decorations before November has even started… Ugh.)

So what happens between 7:00 PM at 12:00 AM that makes Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party so awesome? The sun sets, Magic Kingdom comes a’glow, and guests will find lots of extra, elaborate Halloween themed entertainment. Organized events and random touches come together to bring Halloween magic to guests.

Here are the big events that happen during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party:

Trick or Treating throughout Magic Kingdom – When you’re a kid you look forward to trick-or-treating for all of October. When you’re an adult, you delight in handing out candy to kids, but secretly I think we all just wish we could get out a pumpkin bucket or pillowcase and go around our neighborhoods to get free candy for ourselves. And of course, at Mickey’s Not Scary Halloween Party – you can! Kids and adults alike, costume or not, can go to several different locations throughout Magic Kingdom to trick-or-treat. Cast members are generous in the candy-giving, and you’ll be thrilled to leave Magic Kingdom with plenty of sweet treats in your bag.

Disney Villains Dance Mix and Mingle – As you may expect, you can find villains a plenty during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. During the Villains Mix and Mingle, the villains kick off the festivities in front of the castle, then venture out to greet the guests. It’s a fantastic opportunity to visit with some of your favorite not-so-nice characters that aren’t always available for autographs and photos.

Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade – Personally, this is my favorite part of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. The parade kicks off with the Headless Horseman riding down Main Street, U.S.A. on his beautiful, black stallion holding a lit jack-o-lantern. Swiftly following is a parade of Halloween floats and beloved Disney characters, many who are sporting costumes themselves. Goofy, assisted by Pluto brings the candy fun to the parade in a big way. The beloved spooky attraction The Haunted Mansion has its own segment in the parade as well. The Graveyard Caretaker leads the way with his faithful hound, followed by grave diggers dragging shovels that send sparks flying, dancing ghouls, and a float sporting the three Hitchhiking Ghosts.

Happy HalloWishes – Centered over Cinderella Castle, which glows in Halloween colors, you will find this end of the evening firework spectacular. The Disney Villains are the star of the show, sending up a colorful variety fireworks to a medley of the villain’s musical themes.

Main Street, U.S.A. Entertainment – Roaming Main Street, U.S.A. guests can find a barbershop quartet of dead cowboys. They hold no shortage of barbershop tunes, puns, and jokes.

All of that alone makes for a marvelous night. But for me, it’s the small extra touches that fall into 5 categories really make Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party great:

1. Costumes – Adults and kids alike come to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in costume. In fact, I was really surprised at the number of costumes we saw the night we went. People dressed to the nines. Many of the guests who weren’t wearing costumes were still wearing Halloween themed colors or t-shirts. I didn’t come prepared with a costume, but I scored a fun Mickey’s Not So Scary shirt from The Emporium that made me festive. I will note that Disney asks guests to make sure their costumes are tasteful. Most people seemed to comply without any problem.

2. Decor – The extra decor goes a long way into making the night special. It creates a remarkable air of festivity. Everywhere you look there are pumpkins, cast members in special Halloween themed dress, ghosts, and Halloween colors.

3. Extras – Naturally spooky areas or attractions such as The Haunted Mansion are dressed up. Cast members at The Haunted Mansion are spooky enough on any normal day, but during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party you’ll find them looking extra gruesome, covered in spider webs. We also found Madam Leona sitting on the lawn, entertaining guests as they entered. We went back to The Haunted Mansion an extra time just to see her again.

4. Characters – Keep your eyes open, you tend to find extra characters available for meet and greet during Mickey’s Not so Scary Halloween Party. This little boy to the left had a rare photo-op with all seven dwarfs.

5. Attractions at Night – During the party you get to visit some of your favorite attractions in the dark. Some have an entirely different feel when you visit them after the sun goes down. I highly recommend heading to Frontierland to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain in the dark. Pirates of the Caribbean, though not outside is also great attraction to see during your Halloween-time Magic Kingdom visit.

Whew. That’s a lot to share! Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a jam-packed special event and we had a marvelous time when we went. Though it is costly (averaging around $60 per person), I feel you really get a lot for your money. Anyone else who has visited Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party have an opinion on price/value of the ticket?

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party:

Be well rested! As you can see, there is a lot to do and the party runs until midnight. Even adults can be completely wiped out at the end. Take time to rest, maybe even take a nap before attending the party.
Eat dinner early! With so much happening during this special event, you want to make sure you have plenty of time to experience all of it. Not only does eating dinner during the party limit your time to trick or treat or visit attractions, a late-running dinner reservation may mean you miss part (or all!) or the parade or fireworks show.
Be festive! As I mentioned, many people dress up in a costume or Halloween decor. It really makes the event more merry.
Be informed! It may seem like a silly reminder, but it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the night. Keep your eye on the time and make sure you know what events are happening when and where, so you don’t miss anything you want to see.

Specially themed Halloween treats!

W. T. D. W – Mad Tea Party at Magic Kingdom

Posted on September 18, 2013 by waltdisneyworldblog

A very merry un-birthday to you! I’m late, I’m late, for a very important date. No time to say hello. Goodbye! I’m late, I’m late, I’m late! Painting the roses red, we’re painting the roses red…

Infectious only begins to describe the playful, dancing music of this week’s WHAT TO DO WEDNESDAY attraction: Mad Tea Party at Magic Kingdom. I barely have to think about this attraction before I’m whistling some of the tune from this delightfully dizzying ride all day. It’s just so happy and perky, you can’t help but bounce around humming. There is a lot of catchy music at Magic Kingdom, so you usually find yourself with a tune in your head at some point when you’re there – or at home wishing you were there!

Inspired by the 1951 Disney classic film Alice in Wonderland, this attraction is designed to be reminiscent of the tea party hosted by the Mad Hatter and March Hare. While the formal name of this ride is “Mad Tea Party,” amongst my family and friends it’s simply called “the teacups.” (We’re a straightforward bunch I guess.) A giant canopy in Fantasyland is host to this attraction. Hanging from the ceiling of the canopy are whimsical paper lanterns. In the center of the floor is a giant teapot, from which the mouse will periodically peek out. Surrounding the teapot are very large teacups sitting in saucers of various pastel colors. Guests climb aboard a teacup, and when the ride begins the teacups begin to spin and whirl around the teapot in the center. That in itself is delightful, but in my opinion, the real fun lies in the wheel that is in the center of the teacup. The wheel lets you control the speed and direction of your teacup’s spin. My mum, being a sensitive soul, won’t touch this attraction for fear of becoming ill. So that usually left this ride to my Papa Bear and me. Papa Bear would spin the wheel as hard and fast as he could, and I loved every turn. The wilder, the better in my book. And on the few special occasions my extended family was with us at WDW, my cousins and I too would have a good spin around.

Guests of any height may take a spin at the Mad Tea Party, so it’s a great ride for families. This attraction first appeared at Disneyland, and it was one of the original attractions of the Magic Kingdom when it opened in 1971. Each and every Disney theme park across the world has a version of the Mad Tea Party, which I think is kind of neat. It’s a Disney classic.

I was talking last week about the many simple pleasures that make Walt Disney World so delightful, and I think this is one of them. There is nothing overly complicated or mind boggling about this attraction, but the catching music, movement, and charm of the Alice in Wonderland theme makes Mad Tea Party simply delightful.

* Special Tip* – Keep your eye out for favorite Alice in Wonderland characters such as Alice, Mad Hatter, Red Queen, and Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum around Mad Tea Party. You can often find them available for a meet and greet.

W. T. D. W. – Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom

Posted on August 28, 2013 by waltdisneyworldblog

When I started WHAT TO DO WEDNESDAY I told myself I would rotate parks weekly, so my dear readers could have diversity. But even though I wrote about classic It’s A Small World in Magic Kingdom last week, I’m staying put in MK this week to visit Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I can’t help myself! When you have a whim, you have a whim. I have some great pictures and great stories about this attraction. So let’s head west into Frontierland and hop aboard a run-away mine train.

The story goes that once there was a mountain, and that mountain held plenty of gold. Prospectors discovered the mountain’s riches and set up a mining company. But before long, strange and unexplained things started happening. There were cave-ins and trains would take off unexpectedly. The miners high-tailed it out of there leaving the mountain abandoned. Years later a new group has decided to tackle the mountains treasure and they’re having a rowdy time about it. Guests are along for the adventure. As you board the train an enthusiastic voice rings out “Hang on to your hats and glasses ’cause this here’s the wildest ride in the wilderness!” If you’re anything like us, you’ll be quoting that phrase after you’ve ridden Big Thunder.

This ride is my Mum’s well-chosen favorite in all of Walt Disney World. The attraction is full of humorous scenery, twists, turns and dips. Despite the warning of this being “the wildest ride in the wilderness,” Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is relatively calm for a coaster style attraction and not too scarey for kids. There are no giant hills and drops, just plenty of winding at a delightfully fast pace. So holding on to hats and glasses is good, accurate advice.

Outside of the dashing, twisting train ride, this attraction is full of fun scenes, little details and great views. This is also an attraction that you should absolutely ride in both daylight and darkness. It has a different feel each time. (It’s especially fun at night around Halloween,.) Personally, I love it at night, but you do see more of the details in the day.

I can’t tell you all about Big Thunder Mountain Railroad without telling you a family story that always makes us laugh. The first time we visited Walt Disney World I was 4 and my brother was 2 and a half. I’m sure at that point I was already 40″ tall, which is the minimum height requirement for many of the more adventurous attractions. My family got into the habit of splitting up for big chunks of the day so my Dad and I, who are thrill lovers, could visit the more exciting attractions. My Mom, who enjoys thrill rides, but doesn’t crave them, would take my little brother to mild, kid friendly attractions. They spent A LOT of time on Dumbo and Mr. Toads Wild Ride, which is no longer at Magic Kingdom. My little brother, as a kid, was a big chicken. He wanted nothing to do with anything that even looked like a roller coaster. One trip, when he was big enough to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Mom and Dad decided to see if they could bribe him into riding so we could ride as a family. They knew that if he would just give it a try, he’d like it. So we entered the queue, and I can remember the protesting beginning. My parents told him that if he’d ride, they’d purchase a Star Wars toy for him. As we moved along the queue, brother’s protests became more fervent, and the number of Star Wars figures promised kept increasing. Finally, Mom and brother boarded the train in a row in front of my Dad and myself, and poor brother is now having a full, crying meltdown. A cast member very nicely told my Mom that they couldn’t let him ride if he was so upset. So they got off, and had meet my Dad and myself at the ride exit.

I don’t remember on which of the family trips my brother first rode Big Thunder, but I am happy to report that he eventually did and now will happily face even the scariest coasters. We always laugh about the story, and I chuckled even as I was typing it. Memories such as that, and the time you spend with your loved ones, is part what makes WDW so special. The time my Dad and I spent on our own visiting thrill attractions is a priceless treasure. These days my husband is my ride partner, and I’m very thrilled to say he gives Big Thunder Mountain Railroad an enthusiastic thumbs up.

M.M. – Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar

Posted on August 26, 2013 by waltdisneyworldblog

Pictured above my friends, is pure happiness. A perch in the shade with my favorite ice cream treat in the ENTIRE WORLD: Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar. Welcome back to MUNCHY MONDAY, the tastiest day of the week.

Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar:

noun

Perfection. A frozen serving of silky, creamy vanilla ice cream covered with a thick, rich chocolate shell in the shape of the iconic Mickey ears.

Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar is a whole-lotta-name. My family and I usually just call it a Premium Bar, and I’ll treat you all like one of the gang and refer to it as such here. Sold exclusively by Disney, we can thank Nestle for bringing this delight to us. The bar comes packaged in a red, blue, and white wrapper featuring a smiling Mickey face. (You can see the wrapper stuck under my cup in the picture above.) Now-a-days you can find a Premium Bar just about anywhere on Walt Disney World property. They’re available at all theme parks, as well as Downtown Disney, from an ice cream cart. You won’t have to trek far in any park to find one of these carts set up with a big, blue umbrella and a sign displaying what goodies it offers. You may also be able to find a Premium Bar in the food court of your WDW Resort Hotel. Just ask a cast member if your hotel serves them up.

Now that you know where to find them, let’s talk strategy. Everyone has a different approach to how they eat a Premium Bar. Hubby, as seen to the left, digs right in, biting off an ear. He prefers to enjoy the chocolate & vanilla flavors together in bites. I’m not really a bite-my-ice cream kinda gal. I like to savor the ice cream slowly as it melts. So I very carefully eat the chocolate shell first and then eat the vanilla ice cream layer by softly melting layer. You can see below, how I’ve already got the side of the chocolate coating off, exposing the vanilla ice cream. My strategy also makes the Premium Bar last longer. Win.

Like Pineapple Dole Whip, I shamelessly eat more than one of these during a WDW trip. I simply love them. They’re the ideal treat – sweet, cool, and refreshing. Incidentally, I’ve discovered that despite of the countless hours I’ve spent at Walt Disney World and the many, many times I’ve enjoyed this treat, I have very few pictures of it. I will say that this reason is probably two pronged. Firstly, it’s so tasty you want to eat it immediately, and photographing it doesn’t really come into consideration. Secondly, we usually visit WDW in the summer. And it’s HOT. There is little-to-no time for snapping pictures before you start to have a melting mess on your hands. But the melting mess, especially when you’re a kid, is part of the fun.

W. T. D. W. – It’s A Small World at Magic Kingdom

Posted on August 21, 2013 by waltdisneyworldblog

This week, WHAT TO DO WEDNESDAY is going to one of the Magic Kingdom’s original, classic attractions: It’s a Small World.

This popular attraction and its accompanying tune are no strangers to most people. However, you may not know the original attraction dates back to the 1964 New York World’s Fair. The first version was created by Walt Disney as a kinetic sculpture installment for the UNICEF pavilion of the World’s Fair. An interesting aside, this was also when Disney piloted The Carousel of Progress and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, now known as The Hall of Presidents.

The original installment at the World’s Fair had no trouble gaining regard, leading to Disneyland’s full ride version which opened in 1966. When the Magic Kingdom opened at Walt Disney World in 1971, It’s a Small World found a second home in Fantasyland.

As you enter the queue for the attraction, there is a glittering white scene featuring a large clock tower. The smiling face of the clock sways back and forth. Every fifteen minutes, the clock tower jumps to life and opens up, revealing the time. Not everyone knows this, and I confess that it was years before I saw it for myself. It’s fun to watch while you’re in the queue.

For those who aren’t familiar with it, here’s the rundown of the ride: At the end of the queue you board a boat and set sail at a very leisurely pace. The boat makes its way through one large, colorful room at a time. Audio-animatronic dolls of children dance, twirl, skate, and play instruments. They are elaborately garbed in costumes representing various nations of the world. The sets are vibrant and alive with movement. The music makes stylistic changes to showcase the culture on display as the boat progresses and the lyrics are sung in different languages. In the last segment of the ride, all nations are presented together decked out in a monochromatic color palette. Lastly, as your boat heads to offload, you see “goodbye” written in a variety of languages.

I love this attraction. My husband doesn’t feel similarly, and I know others who feel as he does. But no offense to them – I just don’t think they get it. This ride is absolutely gorgeous and ornately detailed. The scenery and costumes are elaborate and rich, with bright color everywhere. Everything is in motion, turning and twisting and I find that so visually pleasing. I’m sure part of my love for this attraction comes from my feminine admiration of the dolls. When I was a little girl I used to play a game with myself pretending I could select one doll to take home. I would search for the perfect doll all through the ride, and day dream about the choice throughout the day. But I was never quite able to make a decision from among my favorites, and still can not. I know for my husband, it’s the music that gets on his nerves. The repetition drives him bonkers. I enjoy it. I think it’s charming and joyful, so the repetition doesn’t bother me.

A great perk of this attraction is that even on crowded days the wait time usually isn’t too long. The line always looks worse than it is because of how the queue zig-zags, but it usually moves steadily.

All in all, It’s a Small World is always a must see for me, frequently more than once. (Though my husband vows he’ll no longer go on it. Guess I’ll be a single rider, or looking for a new ride partner!) It’s a classic attraction with an always pertinent message. Kids love it – and so do adults who know how to have fun.

Thanks for checking in. See you next week!

M.M. – Chef Mickey’s

Posted on August 19, 2013 by waltdisneyworldblog

Welcome back to MUNCHY MONDAY! I must admit I had a hard time deciding what to write about this morning – there are just too many delectable choices at WDW. Fortunately, my very wise momma suggested one of her favorite dining spots – Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Hotel. Though I wouldn’t admit it to her, Mum knows best and she proved it with her perfect pick. Chef Mickey’s has it all: great food, a breath-taking setting, and lots of VIP treatment from Mickey Mouse and his pals.

Located inside Disney’s Contemporary, this restaurant is just a short stroll or Monorail ride from the Magic Kingdom. The restaurant is open and bright, with striking views of the Monorail coming and going. The many windows of the Contemporary let in plenty of light and offer picturesque views of Bay Lake and the Magic Kingdom. You can also glimpse the beautiful mosaic mural by the legendary American artist Mary Blair. Don’t be surprised if the mural looks familiar, especially if you’ve just come from the Magic Kingdom. Mary Blair was instrumental in creating designs for Magic Kingdom’s classic attraction It’s A Small World. She also created designs for the boat ride El Rio del Tiempo in the Mexico pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase, as well as concept art for Disney classic films such as Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, and Song of the South.

Window view from Chef Mickey’s

This spot is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and all three meals are hosted by Mickey and friends. Personally I think this is one of the best ways to meet the VIP characters. Dressed in their kitchen finest, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto (sometimes Chip n’ Dale too!) come to visit you right at your table one by one. You have time for pictures, autographs, and plenty of hugs. A lot of special interaction can happen with character dining that doesn’t always happen at the parks. And the best part – no waiting in line! How special to be a kid (or kid-at-heart like me) and start your day having breakfast with Mickey Mouse and his pals before hitting the parks. Or in turn, take a break and have lunch with the gang, or see them at dinner as the perfect end to the day.

My brother (a chef himself) & Chef Mickey

Chef Mickey’s is a buffet restaurant, so help yourself to as much as you like. Breakfast includes items such as scrambled eggs, quiche, bacon, sausage, pancakes, biscuits, bagels, croissants, french toast, breakfast potatoes, cereals, yogurt, fresh fruit, and my favorite- Mickey Waffles! And if you’re like me, you’ll be pairing your eats with lots of coffee and fresh juice. Lunch and dinner buffets are host to American fare such as soup & salad, pastas, roasted turkey, fresh fish, roasted chicken, carved beef, and various veggie sides. Kid’s can have all of their favorites too – such as macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders, and pizza. Dessert can be found at the ice cream sundae bar. Yes please.

A meal with favorite characters is a great way to celebrate your day and this table service spot is well worth taking some time out of your schedule for. Chef Mickey’s is popular with guests so reservations are a must. I suggest you make them as soon as you are able to after booking your vacation. The characters and cuisine are subject to change, but for the most part it’s a pretty steady scene with lots of smiles and laughs.

Welcome to Munchy Monday!

Posted on July 29, 2013 by waltdisneyworldblog

Welcome to MUNCHY MONDAY, our new weekly installment of the blog focusing on all things delicious at Walt Disney World!

Food is everywhere at Disney World. There are restaurants ranging from the elite Victoria & Albert’s at The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, to casual themed dining such as the Prime Time Cafe at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There are Quick Service options at all resort hotels and theme parks – where you can find sandwiches, salads, burgers, tacos, and barbeque, just to name a few. Snack carts offer choices such as ice cream, popcorn, and roasted nuts. There are coffees, wines, beers, specialty cocktails, milkshakes, and even Doofenslurpers (a sweet, slushy drink inspired by the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz from Phineas & Ferb)!

So as is our goal, we want to help you know before you go. With so many appetizing options to indulge your palette with, MUNCHY MONDAY will help you know what food options are out there, so you can make sure to eat exactly what your mouth desires.

We’re going to kick off MUNCHY MONDAY with what we consider to be the holy grail of snacks: Pineapple Dole Whip!!! And we are not alone. This tasty treat has long been a favorite among Walt Disney World guests, and has recently been featured on t-shirts available at WDW.

Pineapple Dole Whip: Soft Serve ice cream infused with Dole pineapple juice. Amazing. This delectable Dole Pineapple Soft Serve can be purchased on its own (how we like it!) or layered with a refreshing serving of pineapple juice, as seen to the right. Eat and sip!

Now that we’ve peaked your interest, here’s how to get your own Pineapple Dole Whip:

Go to Magic Kingdom.
Head to Adventureland.
Locate Aloha Isle – across from the entrance to Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse and get in line.
Eat Dole Whip before it melts!
Pause and enjoy that tropical flavored satisfaction after polishing off every last drop.

If pineapple alone doesn’t thrill you, you can try vanilla or orange Dole Whip Soft Serve, or swirl one of those flavors with the pineapple! Pineapple Dole Whip is only available at two locations in Walt Disney World: Aloha Isle in the Magic Kingdom and Cook’s Kitchen at Disney’s Polynesian. Aloha Isle offers pineapple spears, pineapple juice, coke and root beer floats, chips, and other beverage options in addition to the soft serve. Its location in the Magic Kingdom makes it the most practical way for most guests to get their fix.

For us, no trip to WDW is complete until Pineapple Dole Whip is consumed. At least once. Or twice… Or as many times as we can justify eating soft serve. Hey, it counts as a fruit serving, right?!?

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: