Call it what you will a slinky bus, wiggle bus, caterpillar bus, accordion bus, or vestibule bus, the new articulated buses at Walt Disney World add a new dimension to travel around the resort. Disney even built a whole new loading and unloading area at… Read More »Inside Walt Disney World’s new Slinky Buses
A travel website has listed Walt Disney World as one of the 10 most disappointing destinations in the world: Paying $99 per day to be trapped in a park surrounded by other peoples’ children and fully grown adults who like Disney? No thanks. Even a… Read More »Is Walt Disney World one of the 10 most disappointing destinations in the world?
Inevitably, I release a construction update video and a day or two later, more walls come down around the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It happened again, so yesterday I went back to get photos and video of the newly opened areas.
Operations training is well underway with many cast members on Day 3 of training. We could start seeing Cast Member previews and then soft openings next week some time, but no official word on that.
A few more photos below the jump in case you can’t watch the video.
Read More »New Track Revealed as More Walls Come Down Around Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
If you’ve ever met Steven Miller of Disney Park’s merchandise team, then you know what a honest, knowledgeable, and passionate guy he is. Steven has put together a great video highlighting some of the Magic Kingdom’s top selling souvenirs including a few must-have items for… Read More »What are your top Walt Disney World Souvenirs?
We’re getting down to the nitty-gritty on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. This week contractors were kept very busy working on the long list of little details that needed finishing around the attraction. From new welding on the track, to a wider emergency staircase, to a whole bunch more trees, Snow White’s Mountain has really changed character in just the last few weeks.
Meanwhile, testing has begun with actual people riding the roller coaster. The May 2nd grand opening will bring the newest family-style coaster and the final element of New Fantasyland. On board the attraction, guests will be treated to an exciting, musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine” as the lovable world of Sleepy, Doc, Grumpy, Bashful, Sneezy, Happy and Dopey comes to life.
One feature will be first-of-its-kind ride vehicles mounted in cradle-like pivots that allow the vehicles to swing back and forth during the ride. Adding to the fun, the journey will be accompanied by beloved music from the Disney film classic. On their adventure, riders pass by animated figures of Snow White, the Seven Dwarfs and playful forest critters.
More details in our photo gallery below the jump:
Read More »Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Wrapping Up The Final Details of New Fantasyland
As announced in February, the Central Plaza, or Hub, at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is undergoing a major update. The finished version will have more of a park like setting, with ample walking space to navigate around parades and shows, more outdoor dining seating, plus special viewing areas for fireworks and more.
I took a walkabout of the hub area earlier this week and captured a little video to show the progress. Right now they’re concentrating on the section of the hub that is closest to Main Street, where the additional fireworks viewing areas will be. However, lots of little projects are underway around the hub. The video ends with a look at the Rose Garden as it blooms for one last season in its current form.
Can’t watch the video? I have selected photos below the jump in a gallery:
Read More »Magic Kingdom Central Plaza Improvement Project Update
Noodles & Company began in 1995, but it’s just making its way to Central Florida now. They have a simple concept — serve fresh food fast. As you might suspect from the name, there’s a focus on noodle dishes from many cultures. But they also have sandwiches, salads, and soups. For drinks the have the Coca-cola freestyle machine, plus an assortment of bottled drinks, including wine and beer.
We visited the new Lake Buena Vista location which is just outside the Downtown Disney Hotel Plaza in the Crossroads shopping mall. It just opened in March and is a much needed Fast Casual open for Crossroads.
To order, you select your noodle dish and your size (regular or small) . Then you can add a protein in the form or meat or tofu. Each dish and protein option has a different cost, but it all adds up to something around $8 and change usually. If you’re hungry, you can add a salad or soup for $1 more.
After you order and get your drinks, you bring your number to an open table. The Lake Buena Vista location has both inside seating and covered outside seating. Each dish is individually prepared and brought to your table on stoneware with actual stainless steel flatware. A nice touch for a fast casual location. Read More »Off-Site Eats: Noodles & Company
This post brought to you by Christina Wood of Pixie Vacations, the preferred Disney vacation travel planner of The Disney Blog.
If you’re looking for a fun alternative to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in the Magic Kingdom, check out The Pirate’s League, a lessor-known makeover that’s just as fun and costs about half as much. Prices run from $30 to $80; higher prices include a costume, but that’s optional. Girls can be pirates of any variety they choose, or they can be a dramatic pirate Empress, with elaborate make up and stick-on “jewels” on their faces. You can also get a mermaid makeover, which is very elaborate and includes scales and a pretty hairdo!
The Pirate’s League is located right next to Pirates of the Caribbean and it’s open every day of the year from 9:00 am to around 5:00 pm. You’ll want to make reservations well in advance to get a convenient time that works around your dining and fastpasses. It’s decorated exactly like you would expect–if pirates had a salon they regularly visited for makeovers.
There are lots of pirate “artifacts’ and of course, treasures, decorating the place, as well as a few secrets you’ll have to find out about later (we had to promise, pirate’s honor, that we wouldn’t tell).Read More »Pirates League – A Great Experience for Girls, Too.