Countdown to Walt Disney World

Music to Soothe the Savage Illness

2009-10-06T09:41:00.000-05:00

This weekend our family was hit by a lovely stomach virus. Nothing pretty about it. We watched an inordinate amount of TV (including two viewings of “Enchanted”) and formed body shaped indentations into the various sofas in the house. By Monday we were starting to feel better but we needed a little pick-me up. Nothing does that better than Disney park music! In no particular order here were our favorite songs of the day:

Holiday Wishes: we all totally want to buy tickets to this now! We’ve never attended this special holiday event. We’ve heard mixed reviews…not on the quality, but on the value of the price versus what you really experience. Did I tear up a little listening? Of course. Is that feeling worth the price of admission, I’m starting to think it is.
Illuminations: Generally our favorite nighttime Disney experience. This must be listened to at full volume!
Wishes: Who doesn’t listen to this and believe all things are possible?
Believe: okay…this is a Disneyland show (if you don’t know or understand the difference between Disneyland and Disney World then you are probably at the wrong blog.). I’ve only seen video of this show but it still gets to me.
El Rio Del Tiempo: admittedly not great music but a real memory maker for our family. This is the music from the old Mexico Pavillion ride. We have yet to ride the revamped ride.
Golden Dream for the American Adventure: if you don’t cry during this attraction then you’re not paying attention.
Mainstreet Electrical Parade (sadly a parade no longer presented at WDW) immediately followed by….Spectromagic: the parade that replaced the above parade. It is just as magical.
Remember the Magic (25th Anniversary Parade)
Canada (You’re a Lifetime Journey) from the Canadian pavilion.
Epcot Fountain Ballet Music: if you haven’t experienced this you are missing out!
Horizons: the music from the old Horizons attraction at EPCOT. Test Track is in its place now.

What do you want to eat……..90 days from now?

2009-10-01T16:54:00.000-05:00

Two of our boys enjoying

breakfast at Chef Mickey's.

The food at Walt Disney World may not be gourmet but it can be tasty. And, believe it or not, the food choices are vast and varied. Yes, you can get the requisite hotdog and chips, but you can also get a spicy stir fry or a freshly baked croissant. You can even get a kosher meal or a nice bowl of vegetarian chili if you know where to look.

The only challenging thing about eating at Disney World is the planning. If you hope to dine in one of the many sit-down or table service restaurants you must make advance dinner reservations (ADRs). By advance we’re not talking a few hours or days ahead. ADRs are made 90 days ahead, especially if you want a popular time or restaurant (don’t kid yourself, they are all popular).

So here we are in October and, since we have only 59 days until we arrive in Walt Disney World (WDW), I have known for several weeks what I am eating on December 2. I hope I wake up in the mood for that particular restaurant because if I don’t I’m kind of stuck.
(For complete dining information including menus, prices, hours, etc. head to http://www.allears.net/ dining page. AllEars is a fantastic website devoted to all things in the Disney resorts. I wouldn’t plan a vacation in Disney without AllEars.)

Eating greens is a special treat. It makes long ears and great big feet. But it sure is awful stuff to eat." ~Thumper

Magical Traditions

2009-09-29T09:22:00.002-05:00

In March 2009 it’s finally here: Reservation Making Day! In our house this is like a national holiday. It is anticipated like Christmas morning and is filled with tradition.

Tradition 1: Finalizing the Dates
As a family we look at our calendar (a Disney calendar of course) and finalize our vacation dates. It’s not just about when we can get time off from our daily life obligations. Choosing dates for a Walt Disney World Vacation involves determining what kind of Disney experience we want: an all-American experience (crowds and all) or a more subdued experience. Both can be exhilarating but they are different.

This year we have opted for the week after Thanksgiving. The parks are a little less busy but they are fully decked out for the holiday season and that only adds to the magic. (Much more to be said out Disney during the holiday season)

Tradition 2: Making the Call
We gather around the computer and phone and listen as Dad makes the call…the call! Yes, you can make reservations online or, as many do, with a travel agent, but when you call Disney you get a taste of that Disney feeling. There is the music on the phone, the operators who are notoriously “Disney-nice” and the gratification of knowing you made the reservations without worrying about technical glitches.

Tradition 3: Creation of the Official Countdown Calendar
Nothing fancy. We simply put countdown numbers on the Disney calendar on the refrigerator. Not a morning goes by when someone doesn’t yell out “Only 215 days!” as it was the day we made the reservations or “Only 61 days!” as it is today.

Tradition 4: The Vacation DVD
Each year Disney will, if you ask, send you a vacation planning DVD. Yes, it’s all marketing but it’s also a whole lot of fun to watch. That get’s popped in the DVD player as soon as possible. The whole thing is reminiscent of the video loop played at the Disney resort hotels highlighting some of the favorite things to do and see Walt Disney World.

Tradition 5: The Music Begins
When most people think of Disney music I’m sure they think of songs from the movies. For us, especially when we are in planning mode, Disney music is park music. Over the years we have collected music from the park attractions and shows. When reservations are being made you can be sure we have Disney park music playing. For a taste of the park right now I recommend you check out Kingdom Trips Radio at www.live365.com.

You're going back to Disney AGAIN??

2009-09-28T20:40:00.000-05:00

Every time we schedule another trip to Disney we are guaranteed to be asked why we would go back.

"Haven't you already been there?"
"What else do you need to see?"
"Gosh, there are so many other amazing places to go."

As any Disney veteran knows, we don't even try to answer those questions anymore. Disney, I'll admit, is not for everyone. That's okay. But it is for us. We go on other vacations and we experience new things but we always go back to Disney. There will be no apologies here for enjoying all that is Disney.

So let’s imagine it’s your last day at Walt Disney World. You’re walking out the gates and your kids are sobbing, along with your husband. The only thing that calms them down is a promise to return…someday…soon…okay I promise we’ll make reservations as soon as we get home. And so the planning for the next trip begins.

Once reality hits and we have the dreaded budget conversation, and let’s face it, Disney is an investment, it is decided we will go back in three years. To the kids that seems like an eternity. To us, the parents, the supposed adults, we are secretly just as disappointed to have to wait. Disney is the modern day elixir of youth and we crave it just as much as the kids crave the fantasy.

“Why do we have to grow up? I know more adults who have the children's approach to life. They're people who don't give a hang what the Joneses do. You see them at Disneyland every time you go there. They are not afraid to be delighted with simple pleasures, and they have a degree of contentment with what life has brought - sometimes it isn't much, either."
~ Walt Disney