Archive for October, 2009

In the former Iron Spike Room, now rededicated as the Carolwood Pacific Room, Walt’s personal train memorabilia and photographs lend a palpable presence, as if he had just wandered through and would soon return to settle in one of the leather rocking chairs and enjoy the fire.

It’s a very inviting and intimate space, infused with the warmth of wood and stone; flames always glowing in the fireplace.  There are tables set with board games; pleasant woodland views; an inviting window seat with plump pillows.  Displays include two of the  cars from the original train that plied the “Fair Weather Route” in the Disney’s backyard.

Despite being just a short walk from busses and boats, this lovely room is seldom visited by any except those staying at the Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and remains a tranquil retreat.

Our friend Vanessa Guzan shares two different views of some of the best and brightest neon to found.  It’s The Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.   Glide under the dazzling pink marquee and begin a “Spectacular Journey into the Movies!”

The courts dismissed a suit brought against the Walt Disney Company by those demanding to be allowed to use Segways in the parks for reasons of disability.  I find it discouraging that this company, which fosters some of the most accessible places on earth, must battle to maintain a safe environment for the majority of visitors.

It’s difficult to imagine how overwhelming it must be to face each day knowing that even the simplest task will be a physical challenge.  How terrific to find a vacation destination which has invested so much to ensure the comfort and convenience of all guests.  A quick trip outside the U.S. is all that’s required to see just how far our country has come in terms of public accessibility, and Disney stands at the forefront of this initiative.

There has already been a huge proliferation of wheeled vehicles in the parks over the past several years.  In addition to the guests with infants in strollers and the injured and disabled in wheelchairs and EVC’s, there are now many more families choosing strollers for much older children, and a number of visitors renting ECV’s simply as an easier way of getting around.

The fortunate masses, who have good health and/or fortitude, wait patiently as vehicles are loaded onto busses; suffer banged ankles from errant strollers, and endure the ever more congested walkways.  Every guest pays a monetary premium at the parks and resorts to underwrite the infrastructure put into place to make Disney destinations welcoming and wonderful for all visitors; and we do it gladly.  At some point, however, this silent majority should be able to expect some consideration, as well.

There is no individual who has not encountered something made for general use  which is not right for him.  Whether it is a cabinet too high, a counter too low, a lid too tight to open, an uncomfortable seat, or print too small to read, every single person has to compromise now and again; make do; ask for assistance; use a stepladder; wear glasses.  And, few of us have the expectation that things should be adjusted simply to suit those of us who are taller, shorter, weaker, older, or have bigger feet than average.

As one who visits the parks often and has been on a Segway several times, I am of the opinion that the two don’t mix.  Perhaps wheelchairs and ECV’s are not the perfect answer for everyone, but nothing is.  The addition of Segways to the busy parks would be simply unsafe.

Americans seem to cling to the notion that all of life’s unfairness can be legislated out of existence.  It is unfortunate that some may not be able to experience the parks standing up, but it’s a minor inconvenience.  It’s no more “undignified” than having to deal with many other small inequities that life throws at all of us, and certainly does not outweigh the safety issues for everyone else.

It would appear, though, that this battle is far from over.  The ADA has framed this as a matter of “equal treatment and human dignity.”  I find that deeply offensive.  To use those time-honored words as a basis for this action belittles their very meaning.  Whatever our individual abilities, we all need to share equally in the concepts of compromise and consideration for others.  That’s equal treatment; that’s dignity.

Looking at this tranquil sunrise scene, it’s difficult to imagine that tall waves once broke on the shores of the beach at Disney’s Polynesian Resort.

When it opened in 1971, the resort included a wave machine and surfing was one of the featured activities.  The machine could be configured to recreate the oceans of the South Sea Islands, producing calm tides or crashing breakers.

Almost immediately, it became apparent that it in addition to providing a tropical atmosphere, it was also causing severe erosion of the beach.  The hours of operation were reduced, but eventually, it had to be closed down.  Some say that the installation remains, hidden in the lush foliage of the offshore islands.  Later, all swimming was prohibited due to boat traffic and water quality issues.

Today, guests can once again ride the curl at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park by signing up for the  surfing instruction available several mornings each week.  Groups looking for a private surf party can arrange after-hours rental of the venue.

Learn to Surf

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

Monday, Tuesday, Friday 8:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.; one hour earlier on Extra Magic Hours days

1/2 hour land instruction, 2 hour surf time in the water

$150.00 per person/must be at least 8 years of age

Maximum 12 guests per class

Park admission is required to remain in the park after lesson

Call 407-939-7873  (407-WDW-SURF)

Those visiting the Disneyland Resort or the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks between October 5 and November 22, 2009 can take advantage of a limited offer.  Present a valid adult theme park admission ticket at selected merchandise locations and receive a special card.  The card has instructions for obtaining a certificate valid for up to $8.00 towards a child’s admission when purchased with an adult admission ticket for Disney’s new movie, The Princess and the Frog, opening December 11, 2009.  Certificates will be redeemable from December 11 to December 31, 2009, offering a wonderful holiday activity for the entire family.

Looking for a little downtime from the parks?  Pull up a chair and enjoy a board game.  There are a number of places where guests of the Walt Disney World Resort can find something fun to play.

Members of the Disney Vacation Clubs have access to a variety of games in the Community Halls of each deluxe villa resort.  The beautiful Carolwood Pacific Room at the Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is a cozy spot for a family game of Chinese Checkers.

Visitors can raft over to Tom Sawyer Island in the Magic Kingdom and settle into rocking chairs for a round of checkers, or travel to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground and enjoy a game at the General Store.

Most guests are not aware that the tables in the rooms of many of resorts have a checkerboard top.  Both checkers and chess pieces are available at the front desk.

Little ones can play games during their stays at the childcare centers, and for the rest of us, there’s the inviting Belle Vue Room at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn with its library ambiance and game tables set for chess and backgammon.

Our favorite?  It’s the third floor at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.  Chess pieces and giant checkers are waiting on tables by the windows, offering guests beautiful views of the grounds and an opportunity to slow down, relax, and enjoy the leisure time.

The glass and steel entrance of The Wave restaurant on the first floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort complements the minimalist décor of the lobby and registration desk.  An atmospheric lounge washed in underwater blues and a spacious bar with twinkling stars above are both attractive areas to have a drink, although the lounge functions more as a holding area for waiting guests during busy times.

There is an interesting wine list featuring selections from the major wine-producing countries of the southern hemisphere:  Australia and New Zealand, South Africa, Chile and Argentina.

Desserts are attractive presentations of three related selections: a trio of sorbets; three creamy concoctions including a cheesecake, a mousse, and a panna cotta.

The dining room itself suffers a bit from comparison to the other public spaces.  Without the gleam and glow of rippled glass, brushed metal, and colored lighting, it seems to announce the fact that it’s a windowless room.  Curvaceous ceiling sculptures and interesting chair backs reflect the theme but don’t mitigate the dungeon-like ambiance.

Review: Am I the only one who’s getting bored with the whole “sustainable fish” thing? It seems to be showing up on every Disney menu for both lunch and dinner.  I can promise you that I am far less interested in whether it’s sustainable than I am in what kind of fish will actually be on the plate.  It’s only been a little over one week since we dined at The Wave and, even after reviewing the menu, I cannot remember what I had for dinner.  It was that forgettable.  It may well have been something that swims and is being sustained.

What I do recall are the three attempts to get salt for whatever it was I ordered.  Condiments are removed from the tables for the evening meal and the first time I requested salt,  I was given an empty shaker without so much as a plug in the bottom.  The second container had the plug but no salt.  Finally, I did get a filled shaker but the meal was almost over.   Oh, and add me to the list of those who don’t like the cardboard straws.  The  milkshakes would have been so much more enjoyable with (gasp) plastic.  Otherwise, the service was excellent and the staff friendly and helpful.

While the food was tasty and well-presented, albeit unmemorable, I have trouble getting past the cavern concept – the main reason I’m not a fan of the wildly-popular Le Cellier.  Rather than seeming intimate and cozy, the room feels dark and dreary; exactly like something stuck in an unused corner on the ground floor of a building.  I’m perplexed by the decision to move the arcade up to the bright and busy concourse and place the restaurant here.  However, based upon the feedback of enthusiastic diners, and the crowds waiting to be seated the night I visited, I am, once again, in the minority!

Menus

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Wine
Dessert

The Wave

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Breakfast 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Lunch 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Dinner 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Lounge 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight

The new marble flooring in the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is almost completed.  In keeping with the elegant theme, Disney has chosen a subtle addition of Disney characters.  Find them entwined in vines and peeking from curlicues as you walk around the first and second floors!

It’s the beautiful lamps, strung like pearls down the length of the bar, that make Victoria Falls such an inviting place.  Down a curving staircase off the main lobby of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, past gently flowing water, the intricately-themed space is the perfect choice for a drink before or after a wonderful dinner at Jiko or Boma.

As the sun begins to set in the late afternoon, this cozy lounge welcomes patrons, serving cocktails and light snacks.  In addition to cheese and fruit, crisp breads and dips, and nuts with African spices, guests can enjoy a taste of South Africa with wines by the glass from Jiko’s outstanding cellar, or sample teas and coffees.  Those on Disney’s Wine and Dine Plan can redeem wine entitlements at this location.

Since it is open to Boma restaurant, it can seem a bit noisy during dining hours or when entertainment is being featured in the small lobby below, but it becomes peaceful and intimate later in the evening.  With its comfortable seating, it’s also a pleasant retreat during the day before it opens for service.

 

Victoria Falls Lounge

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge; Jambo House

Daily 4:00 p.m. to midnight

 

With a repertoire that includes everything from Gershwin, Porter, and Ellington to the themes of the modern Disney princesses, The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra is the whipped cream on the gingerbread of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

Joplin, jazz, Basie, and big-band swing; the beautiful lobby seems more alive after 4:00 p.m. when the musicians take their places and fill the air with music, inviting visitors to sit and listen.  Those fortunate enough to be staying in the main building can relax in the Royal Palm Club lounge which opens onto the scene below and is the perfect spot for sipping champagne and enjoying this talented ensemble.

When the performance is over, it would be difficult to imagine a concert audience simply turning to chat with friends or standing and leaving the hall, yet this is the unfortunate reality for the Orchestra.  It always takes the determined applause of one or two appreciative guests to make people realize that they deserve this simple recognition for adding so much to the ambiance of this lovely resort.