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Magic Kingdom Photo Update

prince eric castle in new fantasyland

We’re back from the Magic Kingdom with another photo update. We check in on the progress around New Fantasyland, spot a number of new refurbishments going on in and around the park, and look at a few outstanding maintenance issues. Once again, based on the feedback from the last update, we are again using Google+ Hangout to record this video. It’s best viewed on full screen:

If you want to take a closer look at any of those photos, you can view them on our Google+ photo album.

Below the cut is a video Disney World created to inform its cast members about the Storybook Circus and New Fantasyland expansion. It contains some amazing footage from the other side of the construction walls and inside the rides and restaurants.

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Aulani, Video Introduction

If you haven’t seen much of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, then you’ve missed out on a terrific project where Walt Disney Imagineers worked hand in hand with local Hawaiians to create the first Disney resort on Hawaii. More than a… Read More »Aulani, Video Introduction

Review: Sanaa for Lunch

Do you see the Hidden Mickey at the entrance to Sanaa?

Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village is one of Walt Disney World Resorts hidden dining gems. We’ve been there a couple of times for dinner and enjoyed the Indian-African fusion cuisine thoroughly. When the opportunity came to grab a table for lunch we quickly made reservations.

Upon entering the restaurant we immediately saw one of the benefits of dining at lunch, you can see directly out to the savannah shared by Jambo House and Kidani Village. For much of the year, it’s dark out by the time dinner seatings start, so you don’t get to see the animals walk right by the restaurant while you’re dining. Giraffes, Cranes, Ostriches and more all passed by while we dined. That very much adds to the charm of Sanaa.

This bird was nesting right outside the window

Speaking of charm, service was outstanding from the greeting through to the delivery of the check. My only quibble was with the pace of delivery. Our appetizers took a long time to come out and then our entree followed almost immediately. Due to the nature of Sanaa’s ‘little plates’ feel, I didn’t mind it too much, it was must more flavors to consider and they made up for it with an extra portion of appetizer.

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New Fantasyland and Magic Kingdom Photo Update

There are so many construction projects going on at the Magic Kingdom that it’s hard to keep track of them all. Big Thunder just came out of rehab, while Main Street’s facade work is ongoing (rumored to be coming down any day now). But today… Read More »New Fantasyland and Magic Kingdom Photo Update

Should you Attend a DVC Presentation?

A column in Forbes asks an interesting question, is it worth the free Fastpasses to sit through a DVC Sales Presentation? They answer appears to be yes, but with caveats. The chief one being – you might actually want to buy into Disney Vacation Club… Read More »Should you Attend a DVC Presentation?

DVC Really is Disney World’s Worst Kept Secret, Grand Floridian Now Official

It’s become something of a running joke at Walt Disney World, the company files papers, clears land, and even begins work on the next Disney Vacation Club (DVC) hotel before they ‘officially’ announce it. By that time, anyone who wanted to know, already knows that… Read More »DVC Really is Disney World’s Worst Kept Secret, Grand Floridian Now Official

Review: Thanksgiving at Aulani’s Makahiki Buffet

I was fortunate to spend Thanksgiving day this year at Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa on Oahu with family and friends. Though we were staying on the other side of the island, we couldn’t resist the chance to make the drive to Ko Olina to check out Disney’s newest resort and enjoy a Hawaiian Thanksgiving sprinkled with Disney magic. First impression of Aulani: spectacular! The food, well, that’s another story…

Aulani offered a special Thanksgiving event with entertainment and character appearances ($85 per adult and $73 per child – ouch!). Our party, a mix of adults and kids, opted instead for the buffet dinner at Makahiki, which at $40 for adults and $20 per child is reasonably priced as Hawai’i resort dining goes, and we figured it would offer something to suit everyone’s taste.

I had high hopes for the Makahiki buffet, a spacious area with subtle and soothing tropical decor that opens to a sunny patio. But truth be told, the food was predictable, not much was memorable or worth seconds, (but luckily there was plenty to try!).

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Disney’s Stand-Alone Hotels On Hold or Over?

Jason Garcia at the Orlando Sentinel has bit more background on Disney’s decision to cancel the National Harbor hotel. Disney claims that DVC was not going to be a part of the hotel and that Aulani’s troubled start had nothing to do with it. analysts… Read More »Disney’s Stand-Alone Hotels On Hold or Over?