Walt Disney World: It's Not Just for Kids » World Showcase

Wordless Wednesday: August 17, 2011

Hedy — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 03:19:32 +0000

Given that this was my first Wordless Wednesday on this blog, I figured it was apres pos. Also, if you say you need a cup rather than a cute glass as you’re shopping, you get more. :)

#Confess Friday: I don’t hate Duffy…

Hedy — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 02:18:16 +0000

There’s been a strain of malcontent running through the Disney fan community lately. This time, it’s swirling around Duffy the Disney Bear. Duffy is Mickey Mouse’s teddy bear, which Minnie made for him and he carried in a duffel bag (get it)? Fans are underwhelmed because they don’t like that he’s just a marketing ploy.

Let’s begin with the obvious, folks, Duffy is cute. I am a fan of stuffed animals, and Duffy is a pretty darn cute teddy bear. I foresee a bright future for Duffy in Facebook profile shots. In general, I find the whole “marketing oh noes!” people annoying. Walt Disney World is one big marketing ploy. Heck, the Disney parks have been a big marketing ploy sine Walt put up Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.

How about you? What do you think about Duffy?

Friday Favorites: You are not the First to Pass this Way!

Hedy — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 21:38:35 +0000

A couple weeks ago, someone on Twitter asked what pavilion at Epcot was your favorite. I paused for a moment: which one is my favorite? Do I go with the quaint charm of the UK? The scenery of Canada? Then it hit me-Norway. Norway is not only my favorite pavilion, but (IMO) the perfect Epcot pavillion. There’s just something so well-themed about it. You really feel like you’re not in Florida. Maelstrom is an awesome ride-clever, but family friendly (in the interest of being fully honest, I haven’t seen the movie since 2002).

And the shopping in Norway is awesome-there’s a really diverse amount of items in their store, from candy to jackets, from inexpensive ornaments to perfume. If you’re looking for a little shot of Epcot in your day, order Laila’s sample pack-it’s only $2ish. The Kim Possible mission for Norway is fun. Norway has two restaurants. The counter-service option is the Kringla Bakeri og Cafe. This bakery is home to many WDW fan cult favorites, such as lefse (tried it in 2006-meh-I hate to sound culturally insensitive, but it’s essentially a tortilla), sweet pretzels (loved it in 2009-I love nuts and frosting), and school bread (tried it in 2007, not sure it deserves its cult status, but I liked it and I’m not a huge coconut person). Akershus is the table-service option-it’s a character meal, but it also has some Norweigan food. I’ve never eaten here.

Mouse Travel Tips Episode 29: Adult Only Walt Disney World Trip

Hedy — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 01:42:59 +0000

When I saw that this week’s Mouse Travel Tips podcast was on adults-only trips to Walt Disney World, you know that I had to listen ASAP. Mouse Travel Tips is a fairly new podcast, but a nice “snack size” one. I really liked the episode-I would really recommend it for couples or people planning a no kids trip.

While I knew that Victoria and Albert’s only permits guests age 10 and over, I learned that the Bistro de Paris does not have a children’s menu. I think their suggestions of a meal at a restaurant that you might not be able to go to with kids is great.

I particularly liked the piece on spas at Disney World. While spas are not my bag, the information contained therein was interesting and informative. The suggestion of shopping place that you can’t shop at with kids in tow, such as the crystal store or the Art of Disney, is why i think this podcast would be great for parents going kidless to Disney World.

I watched the “Unwrapped” Special on the Disney Parks

Hedy — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:02:42 +0000

I love Food Network almost as much as I love Disney, so I was thrilled when I found out that a new Unwrapped on the Disney Resorts was going to airing. I watched it the other day. While I think a lot of the special came from the old Unwrapped special, I still liked it a lot.

I found the discussion about the baked goods at Disney Land interesting. I went to Disney Land during the Happiest Celebration on Earth, and I honestly wasn’t that wowed by their food. The discussion of the printer with edible ink was pretty sad-is there a supermarket in America that doesn’t have that technology? I did; however, find myself wishing that they had mentioned how to order a cake to be delivered-it seemed like an easy promotion or upsell for for Disney.

Mickey Bar-from Sunshinerewardsforum.com

I liked the piece on the Mickey Bars. I’m not a Mickey Bar fan (I can’t remember ever having one!), but I did like seeing how they were made. The mention of them being available on the Disney Cruise Line seemed noteworthy to me, as it seems as if they are a secret feature of the room service menu on the ships.

I liked how they included Miyuki-she really exemplifies what Epcot can do well. She brings something most tourists have never heard of, Japanese Candy Art, and makes it a do not miss attraction. The behind the scenes shots of the potstickers at Nine Dragons and the apple strudel at Biergarden did not really wow me, I can think of many more interesting foods that could have been featured.

While I found the character dining bit dull, the piece on Goofy’s Candy Company was awesome (anyone else catch the shot of my beloved Dipped Fudge Cookie being dipped?) They details on the make your own items were great, although I’d love to be the organization of a person with a microphone when I’m there. The birthday parties looked awesome, do you think they’d find it weird if a 27th birthday party would be booked there?

Did you see the special? What dd you think?

Activities for an adult couple with ONE kidless day?

Hedy — Fri, 21 May 2010 13:50:28 +0000

I recently received the following e-mail from a reader: Since my kids have been born, I’ve only ever gone to WDW with them in tow. Next week my husband and I will be spending ONE day alone in the parks to celebrate our 11th anniversary. We already have dinner reservations at the Poly to watch the fireworks from there. What would you suggest that we do in the rest of the time that we have to make the most of our “adult only” day?

Grand Marnier Slush in Epcot, December 2007

I have a few ideas, and I’d also like to lob it out to the peanut gallery.
As you all know, I’m a solo princess ;) However, I have a few ideas about things I like to do in an “adult time.” My first suggestion would be that she and her DH check out any attractions that her kids might not be into-Expedition Everest springs to mind. Secondly, in my book nothing says “adult” like walking around World Showcase (if you wanted to toss in a little “fun,” I’d take the monorail either to or from the Poly there). You could explore stuff you can’t do as easily with kids-the fountains in Italy, the decor of the UK, the gardens in Canada. If Off-Kilter is playing, they’re really good, and often do songs you may enjoy, such as Summer of 69. You could then stop for a Grand Marnier slush :). From there, I’d head onto Jellyrolls. Incidentally, I recent learned via my brother that Jellyrolls is now non-smoking, which makes for a nicer atmosphere. The beer is cheap, the popcorn is free and keeps on coming, and you can enjoy anything from singing along to requesting a song (with tip) to just sitting there and enjoying a little non quite so pixie-dusty fun. If Epcot and Jellyrolls doesn’t appeal to you, I’d head over to Downtown Disney. Do some grown-up shopping at Tren-D, check out some Disney Dooneys, go up in Characters in Flight. Then, head over to Paradiso 37 or Raglan Road for entertainment and drinks.

Now, two of my brothers and their wives have their own night out at WDW traditions. For the night where all adults go out, and the kids are at the kids club, they have their own traditions. They usually eat at a restaurant in DTD. From there, they walk around and window shop in DTD. One of my brothers was fond of buying CD’s at the Virgin Megastore-while obviously you can’t do that now, the idea of doing some activity such as that kids free (Basin? Ridemakerz?). They then concluded their night out at Jellyrolls, and entertained themselves making interesting song suggestions (one brother may or may not have request Metallica-he got his dollar back).

ETA: Thanks to lissacam, I have the suggestion of a tour-these are awesome. I’d check out one that fits your interests (a Keys to the Kingdom tour before dinner? Wild by design first thing in the morning?) I did the Yuletide Fantasy tour and loved it.

How about you? Do you have any ideas? Tweet me or leave a comment!

Wordless Wednesday May 5, 2010

Hedy — Wed, 05 May 2010 00:12:31 +0000

Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone! Check out other Wordless Wednesday posts.

Mexico Pavilion at Epcot, December 2007

Wordless Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Hedy — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 10:49:02 +0000

The fabled Grand Marnier Slushie

See other Wordless Wednesday participants!

Grand Marnier Slush in Epcot, December 2007

Wordless Wednesday March 17, 2010

Hedy — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:23:14 +0000

UK at Epcot, March 2006.

Check out more Wordless Wednesdays here