Posts Tagged ‘Magic Kingdom’
Hungry Pirates
If you’re visiting at the right time and looking for a change from the usual fast food fare, consider a stop at El Pirata y El Perico Restaurante, located in Aventureland at the Magic Kingdom.
Open seasonally, the limited menu features food with a Mexican twist including such favorites as burritos, tacos, and quesadillas, with meatless selections for vegetarians. The pleasant ambiance continues the theming of the nearby Pirates of the Caribbean and offers covered open-air seating.
Generous portions and a nice toppings bar make this a great option for a quick-service lunch. El Pirata y El Perico is open only during the busiest seasons, and the short hours, typically from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. require a bit of advance planning.
UPDATE: As of February, 2011, this restaurant has been renamed “Tortuga Tavern!”
Magic by the Month – September
Those who think of September as an autumnal month may be surprised by the levels of heat and humidity in central Florida, where it is still very much summer. Although temperatures remain pretty much the same as August, spanning the low seventies to the low nineties, the humidity actually ratchets up a notch and often lingers through the night.
Prices are at annual lows for pretty much the entire month and Labor Day is the only major American holiday that does not reflect any rate increases.
Historically, this month has been recognized as a quiet month and years before the advent of deeply-discounted packages, the Magic Your Way program, and the Dining Plan, Disney offered special deals that included such things as meal vouchers and savings on recreation and shopping.
The Christian music festival, Night of Joy generally takes place near the beginning of the month, and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party runs on a number of evenings.
Fast Facts
Special Events: Both the Night of Joy, which runs for two evenings, and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, generally offered on six or seven nights during the month of September, are held in the Magic Kingdom which is closed to all but holders of these hard tickets. Other guests should plan accordingly.
Attendance levels: Few families take vacations at the very start of the school year and the low room rates reflect the light crowds.
Weather: Expect a continuation of summer heat and humidity. Although this seems to be the time when guests express the most concern about hurricanes, the season typically runs from approximately June to November. Located in the center of the state, Walt Disney World faces a lesser risk than coastal areas and has been constructed to exceedingly high standards. There’s also a decrease in precipitation and more days without the afternoon showers so prevalent in June and July.
Packing: Bring summer clothes, but toss in a light jacket or sweater if you’re visiting towards the very end of the month. Although it generally remains hot, cooler weather starts to arrive in October and occasional lower evening temperatures are not unheard of.
Story’s End
On September 12th, the book will close on Storytime with Belle in the Fairytale Garden at the Magic Kingdom. Happily, it seems that Belle is awaiting the construction of her new home which will include an expanded version of Storytime: Enchanted Tales with Belle.
The area will be reimagined and open on October 15th as a play and greet area featuring the stars of the upcoming movie “Tangled.” Rapunzel, the princess with magical hair who has been imprisoned in a tower her entire life, and dashing bandit Flynn Rider who accidentally discovers her, will be on hand to greet guests at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland parks.
This new animated film, scheduled to be released this November, has been designed to recreate the look of classic fairytales, with details and ambiance inspired by Disneyland’s Fantasyland.
Autumn in the Kingdom
Photo by Jonathan
Don’t be Tardy
Even though it’s still summer, in “Disney Time” the holidays are right around the corner. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party starts in just a few weeks and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, one of the highlights of the Christmas season, begins on November 8th and runs on selected nights until December 19th.
It’s a magical night filled with special entertainment, spectacular fireworks, and the only opportunity to see the Christmas parade after dark. Also, the first presentation of Castle Dream Lights takes place on the night of the first party, November 8.
The 2010 dates for this merry annual event are:
November – 8, 11, 12, 16, 18, 19, 28, & 30
December – 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, and 19
7 p.m. to 12 midnight
Ticket Prices for 2010, not including taxes, range from $53.95 to $59.95 for adults and $47.95 to $53.95 for children. Lower prices reflect advance purchase savings which are not available for all dates.
If you’re booking your Walt Disney World vacation package with Whimsical World Travel, your Concierge will be happy to make arrangements for your party tickets. You can choose to have them waiting at Will Call for pick-up after you arrive, or request downloadable e-tickets. For an additional charge, your tickets can also be shipped.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party has become a holiday tradition for thousands of families – why not make it one of yours?
Ballooning!
The lights of Main Street U.S.A. seem to be captured inside these colorful balloons.
Postcard Perfect – Tomorrow’s News
Photo by Jeff Bergman
On the Move
Disney traditionalists, and there are many of us, are often dismayed by the changes that take place at the Disney parks. Beloved attractions and shows come and go; names change; old is replaced with new. While we all understand that change is good and helps to keep our favorite destinations fresh and interesting, some of the decisions seem inexplicable. New is not always better – the destruction of the iconic trees at Disney’s Contemporary Resort being a case in point.
At a time when there is major new construction going on at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, things are happening fast. We can only guess what future story line has required Cinderella’s Golden Carousel to become the Prince Charming Regal Carousel or what other “improvements” are planned.
How delightful, then, to learn today that the WEDway PeopleMover, renamed Tomorrowland Transit Authority in 1994, will once again be a PeopleMover. Now, if the new Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover would only magically lose the sterile and boring narrative in place since the recent refurbishment, and embrace the charming recording we all love, we would happily keep all forward-facing tentacles clear of oncoming metroliner vehicles!
Character Reference – Pluto
VITAL STATISTICS
Name: Pluto
AKA: Rover, Pluto the Pup
Favorite Sayings: “Bark! Bark!” “Grrrr” “Sniff, sniff, sniff”
Memorable Quote: “Kiss me”
Awards: #1 in The Greatest Animated Pets of All Time
Qualifications: cheerful, loyal, fun
Facebook Friends: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, Fifi, Dinah
CHARACTER COORDINATES
Remember, the appearance of a specific character is never guaranteed. Some of the locations below have regularly-scheduled appearances while others are occasional. Always check the Times Guides for the most up-to-date information, and be prepared for possible substitutions at character meals.
Meet and Greet
- EPCOT, Future World, Character Spot
- EPCOT, American Adventure
- Magic Kingdom, Town Square
- Magic Kingdom, Toontown Hall of Fame (subject to change)
- Magic Kingdom, Liberty Square
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Camp Minnie-Mickey
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Dinoland entrance
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Oasis, main entrance
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Sorcerer’s Hat
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Mickey Avenue
Character Dining
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Tusker House, Donald’s Safari Breakfast
- EPCOT, Garden Grill
- Contemporary Resort, Chef Mickey’s
- Polynesian Resort, ‘Ohana Best Friends Breakfast
- Beach Club Resort, Cape May, Goofy’s Beach Club Breakfast
- Fort Wilderness, Mickey’s Backyard Barbeque Dinner Show
Shows
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Fantasmic!
Parades
- Magic Kingdom, Celebrate a Dream Come True
- Magic Kingdom, Spectromagic
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade
Miscellaneous
- Magic Kingdom, Main Street U.S.A., small bronze statue in the hub
Magic by the Month – July
It’s the peak of summer and at Walt Disney World, visitors can expect longer park hours and extra shows and activities, as well as crowds, heat, and showers. Scheduling the bulk of your park activities for the morning and evening is the best way to approach a summer visit.
The Fourth of July Weekend features celebrations around the parks including a wonderful concert at the America Gardens Theatre. Special fireworks are presented at the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with the Magic Kingdom drawing the biggest crowds.
Fast Facts
Special Events: Fourth of July Celebrations
Attendance levels: This is the one time of the year when nearly everyone is out of school for the entire month, making it a very popular vacation time for families. Some planning and judicious use of FastPasses will make for a more enjoyable experience. Expect heavy attendance throughout the month with fierce crowds on July 4th in the Magic Kingdom
Weather: Guests who are not used to heat and humidity are often unprepared for the summers in central Florida. Although July is the rainiest month of the year with nearly 8″ of rainfall on average, it seldom rains for an entire day. Instead, there is often a quick shower in the afternoon. While they don’t lower the temperatures, these sudden storms do tend to thin out the crowds in the parks.
Packing: Think tropical! Light, cool clothing and swimwear will be the mainstays of a summer visit. Make room in your suitcase for hats, sunblock, and rain gear. The nights are not much cooler than the daytime but do offer a respite from the sun. If you’re prone to blisters and chafing, be sure to pack comfortable shoes and appropriate treatments as the heat tends to magnify these problems.
