Walt Disney World: It's Not Just for Kids

We are starting off this comparison with a visualization.  It’s July in Orlando.  You land in MCO, and get into a cab as your sweat is sweating and your sunglasses are steaming up.  You hop in a cab to get to your Universal Resort, Royal Pacific Resort (RPR).  As you walk down the entranceway, and into the air conditioned lobby, you are transported to another world, where a picturesque fountain is nearby.

Elephant Fountain at the Royal Pacific

Much like the Polynesian, the Royal Pacific Resort is a breathtakingly beautiful resort that makes you forget you’re in Central Florida.  RPR is themed after an old hotel from the “Golden Age of Travel,”  and the hotel truly reflects it.  From the airplane at the pool to the ship in the lobby, this hotel feels like something out of a black and white movie.  This is the least expensive of Universal’s three on-site resorts, although NOT cheap (especially if you stay at a mod or value when at the World).  Unlike the Polynesian, all RPR rooms are in the main building.  Room-size wise, I found my room at RPR to be on par with a room at POFQ.

I found the service at Royal Pacific Resort to be Disney-caliber, with great amenities (the free torch-lighting ceremony is a must-see!)  My one complaint is that there is not a dedicated counter-service, as there is at the Poly (and the other two Loews resorts in Orlando.

A model of a "Royal Pacific" ship

Wizarding World of Harry Potter Construction, August 2009

Just 9 more days until I get to see how this turned out!  See all Wordless Wednesdays here

At home, I’m a huge fan of getting discounted restaurant gift certificates at Restaurant.com.  However, I always thought that there was no point in looking at them for Orlando, as I stay on-site at both Universal and Disney World.

However, Kim of Reward Site Round Up posted that the House of Blues, which is in Downtown Disney, is now on Restaurant.com.  The fabulous folk on the Disboards have alerted me to the fact that a number of Swolphin restaurants: Garden Grove (just for dinner, not the Character meal), Kimonos,  bluezoo, Il Mulino, and Shula’s. As you can easily walk from Epcot to these restaurants, it seems like a painless way to save some money on vacation.

This led me to do my own poking around on there, and I found that Bice at the Portofino Bay Resort at Universal Orlando is also on Restaurant.com.

Every month, new certificates go up on Restaurant.com. on the first of the month (they are also re-stocked, so you can pick up any which may have been sold out in the previous month.  While poking around there, I found that they had Giraffe Cafe at Royal Plaza Hotel.  Now, if you’ve never been there (we returned a rental car there, but that’s another story for another day), it’s within spitting distance of Downtown Disney.  Additional, Restaurant.com also has the Outback Restaurant at the Buena Vista Palace, and Andiamo Italian Bistro, both of which are also at Downtown Disney hotels.  If you’re looking to save on food, it might be worth the trek there.

If you’re planing on staying at an airport hotel at one part of your trip, or even eating at MCO, they have McCoy’s Bar and Grill and Hemisphere restaurant, both of which are at the Hyatt which is in MCO.

From now until July 22, you can save 70% at Restaurant.com,  using the code TASTY.

OMG!  Less than TWO weeks to go until Universal-w00t!

I ended up moving around my DTD day in order to do a DIS meet.  I’ve also added lunch at Emeril’s Tchoup Chop to my agenda.  I may be canceling my Paradisio 37  reservation as I’ll be using my OpenTable check to fund the lunch, I think.

WWoHP touring plan wise, here’s what I’m thinking.  I’m starting off at FJ as soon as possible after checking to see if I’ll fit, otherwise I’m just doing the queue.  I’ll probably hit up the shops after that-you can’t ship stuff to the front of the parks in Hogsmeade, but you can have stuff you buy in Hogsmeade shipped to the front of the park from the gift shop at Sinbad’s:  I’m planning on picking up a few Christmas and birthday gifts while I’m there.  From there, I’ll probably do Flight of the Hippogriff and buy some Butterbeer.

I did end up swapping my plans for Sunday and Monday in order to do a DISMeet, which I am excited for.

If any of my readers are interested in a meet when I’m in Orlando, e-mail me or DM me on Twitter!

Shall we take  list at the planning list:

* Continue to check car rental rates (I’m pretty sure I’m just using cabs though.) Forget about rental cars, cabs are how to get to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
* Once vacation time is finalized check Hotwire for the Hyatt MCO. Done!
* Cash out Opentable cheques. . Done! One $20 one for Tchoup Tchoup, another $20 one for Paradiso 37.

* Confirm plans
* Get singles from bank
* buy hooks for door hanger
* Print out coupons
*Order water from Staples (I’m doing this next Friday)
*Pick up packets of Emergency-C at Wholefoods

It’s the second annual Savvy Auntie’s Day today, July 25.  As my lifestyle as a PANK (Proud Aunt No Kids) has been instrumental in my drive behind this blog, I thought I would be remiss in not acknowledging it, especially given that my girl Minnie is a PANK.  To me, today isn’t about gifts-it’s about acknowledging the role which kids play in PANK’s lives, and PANK’s play in their nieces and nephews lives.  As I’ve said before, I’m the proud PANK of three:  Sharpay, 15; Mordie, 14; and Ferdie, 10.  They are all wonderful kids who are rapidly becoming young adults I’m proud to know (and are all Disney fans in their own ways).  I cannot imagine my life without them, and being in their lives has enriched mine considerably.

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Ear plugs at Walt Disney World:  Not Just for Kids.  I’m not a fan of loud things-never have been.  As such, I spent much of my early trips with my fingers plugged in my ears-effective, but uncomfortable.  Before my Disneyland trip in 2005, I was reviewing AllEars’ packing list, and saw someone who had recommended earplugs as something which had helped their child in the parks.  I wasn’t a child, but the idea of being able to enjoy Disneyland at my volume excited me.  I took some along, and loved it!  Indiana Jones ride-easy!

I highly recommend packing some ear plugs regardless of your age.  I’ve used them all over Disney World, Disneyland and Universal Orlando.  They keep the noise to a level which is much more comfortable to me, without impacting my enjoyment of attractions and shows.

My brother and DSIL got me this picture from Disney World for my birthday in 2009.  I just got a frame for it!  <3 it!Find other Wordless Wednesday participants

Yesterday, I was thinking about how I should probably order my ticket for my day at Epcot in December soon, as ticket prices will most likely go up soon. And suddenly, the idea of skipping Epcot the Saturday before my cruise occurred to me.  I could see the later parade at MVMCP and party on.  After sleeping in, I could head for a casual character breakfast at the Garden Grove.  Touring the resorts would be next-maybe checking out Pop or the All Stars.  I’d grab lunch at a resort’s counter service.  I’d finish my day with dinner, and the Boardwalk meet.


Any thoughts?  A full day at Epcot just seems so go go go after MVMCP.

Pop Century Christmas Tree from Jackskeleton101 on Flickr

As I’ve alluded to before, I have a chronic migraine issues.  A prescription prophylactic medication keeps major ones at bay, but I still need to take some precautions.  My migraine triggers are hot, crowded places and sunlight, so some pracautions need to be taken.  Additionally, my migraines lead to nausea and dizzyness.  Obviously, I’m not a doctor, I’m just talking about what works for me.

In my park bag, I have a medical pouch which contains the following:  Excedrin tension headache, ginger chews (awesome for nausea), a migrastick and Bonine or Less-drowsy dramamine.  As dehydration and hunger lead to trouble for me, I have myself drink a bottle of water or Powerade every hour, and I try to pre-schedule eating.  I also keep a Luna or Cliff kids bar in my park bag, preferably non-chocolate.  I wear a baseball cap and sunglasses to avoid the sun.  Owing to my sunlight issues, I’m thinking I may skip Ollivander’s, as standing in queue in the sun does not sound like fun.

I must admit-I may not be too old for Disney, but I think I am too old for Forever 21.  Whenever I pop in there to check it out, it seems loud and crowded, like a teenage girl factory brimming with big earrings and kohl-rimmed eyes.  However, I know it is very popular.

Minnie Muse Gift Tag from Modoration.com

The last part of the year is apparently going to be a big co-branding quarter for Disney as not only is MAC releasing its Venomous Villains collection, but Forever 21 is coming out with the Minnie Muse Collection.  Press materials indicate that “[this collection] is fresh and portrays Minnie Mouse in a way no one has ever seen her before, leggy, modern and glamorous.”  While it’s definitely not the Minnie we are used to seeing, I think it is a great idea.

Is a leggy Minnie “realistic?”  No, but neither is a mouse who walks on her hind legs, or one with a really large head.  If you read the copy on the Pook a Looz, it refers to this toy as a “contemporary” view of Steamboat Minnie.  I’m a fan of the idea of Minnie and other characters changing as times goes on-it keeps them fresh, keeps them on the front of most non-kids minds, and helps Disney make merchandising money.  And if you’re on my Christmas list, your gift will probably have the above tag on it, although I think I’l buy it on Forever21.com.