Disney World Continues to Evolve

Disney World Continues to Evolve
By Scott Ames

Walt Disney said of Disneyland "It's something that will never be finished. Something that I can keep developing...and adding to” That philosophy continues in all of the Disney theme parks including and especially Walt Disney World.

Attractions are constantly updated, refurbished, or replaced. It keeps the experience fresh and exciting no matter how many times you’ve been to a Disney theme park.

Disney doesn’t skimp on attractions anymore. For a period of time during Eisner’s rein as CEO it was obvious that corners were being cut in some places. This lead to failures in such attractions as the “Rocket Rods” in Disneyland. For that attraction they simply reused the People Mover track and slapped some high speed sleds on the track and called it good. The problem was it never did work right. The ride was fine. I loved it. But it was always down for maintenance and finally closed.

There is no bigger canvas for the theme park Imagineers to paint on than Walt Disney World. With over 27,000 acres of space there is plenty of room to add new theme parks let alone new attractions. Already the resort has four theme parks, two water parks, and a shopping area.

Each theme park in the Walt Disney World resort has its own schedule of updating, retiring, and adding attractions. The Disney World of yesterday is no longer the Disney World of today.

Some of the past attractions that are now only part of history are: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Skyway to Tomorrow land, Alien Encounter, If You Had Wings and Dreamflight,
Flight to the Moon, and World of Motion.

Fairly recent attractions include Expedition Everest in the Animal Kingdom which is a roller coaster ride like no other and Mission Space in EPCOT. Disney keeps testing and improving in order to bring new things to its guests. Sometimes they spend hundreds of millions of dollars on a concept that is not proven. Mission Space is one of those “best guess” efforts that produced a very expensive but mediocre ride.

They don’t always get it right, but when they do, it’s magic. The new Soarin in EPCOT is a winner. It’s a ride first found as “Soarin over California” in Disney’s California Adventure theme park next to Disneyland. The guests sit suspended in front of an IMAX type screen while soaring over various scenes and landscapes of California. The feeling is so real that you’d swear your going to get your feet wet as you skim over the water.

What can you look forward to in the future? Who knows. There are rumors that Spaceship Earth in EPCOT will be redone by Siemans. More rumors hint that DisneyQuest, a large gaming area for kids and adults, will close. Perhaps in the future Disney will choose to copy the Indian Jones ride from Disneyland and bring it to Florida.

Whenever you travel to Disney World, be assured there will be something new for you to enjoy and perhaps some old things for you to reminisce about.

Scott Ames owns a vacation home near Walt Disney World and has been going to Disney Theme parks since 1971. His vacation home is for rent by the week and more information can be found at: http://www.orlandogatherings.com

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How to Plan a Great Walt Disney Vacation

How to Plan a Great Walt Disney Vacation
By Miriam Boh

A Walt Disney vacation can be absolutely wonderful, but hard on your wallet if you do not do some research and planning early. In this article, I would like to share a little insight on how you can save hundreds of dollars on your next trip and at the same time have a great Walt Disney World vacation.

First, book your trip in advance. You will no doubt have to pay more if all holiday preparations are made at the last minute. If you are planning to go during peak season such as between Christmas and New Year, booking one year in advance is never a problem. Otherwise, six to nine months will not deprive you of getting the best rooms that you desire at the best rates. If you are flexible on your vacation dates, you choose to go at a time when Disney offers Value Rates. These are the least expensive. Food can be very costly at Disney theme park. Do not overspend on meals. If you like table-service meals, try lunch since the menus tend to be less expensive than dinner. Whenever possible, eat outside the park for dinner.

Staying at Disney World Resort can help to save you some time while on vacation and let you and your family enjoy more of the park. This is because you do not have to spend so much time traveling back and forth to your hotel which results in shortened park enjoyment time as most families with younger children especially have trouble getting everyone rounded up early in the morning. As a Disney resort guest, you can take advantage of the extra time to visit the attractions that are way too crowded during normal park hours. Planning your day inside the park is a strategic effort. The easiest way to plan your Walt Disney vacation is to select the appropriate days you plan to visit parks and shows. Study the theme park map before you get to it. Nothing wastes time like wandering around not sure where you are or where you want to go next. Of course, you do not want the whole family to rush around during the whole day just to get to all the rides either. Thus, plan with some buffer time in-between so movement from one attraction to another is not a stressful experience.

Staying at Disney resorts not only helps to save you money and time, but your sanity as well. As a resort guest, you do not have to worry about the transportation which brings you to and back from parks. You need not feel stress that you have missed the shuttle and have to wait a half hour for the next. You will feel more relaxed and have more freedom to choose the time you want to leave. Pick appropriate days to visit the attractions in the parks. It will be a bonus if you have extra time.

With some advanced planning and predetermined Disney park visitation strategies, you and your family can experience a great Walt Disney vacation with excellent deals, less stress and fatigue.

Miriam Boh is the owner of DiscountFamilyVacation4u.com. Want to know how to plan a memorable Walt Disney vacation with strategies that can literally save you hundreds? Get practical, Disney vacation money-saving tips and strategies at http://www.discountfamilyvacation4u.com.

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Walt Disney World's Top Tables

Walt Disney World's Top Tables
By Cara Goldsbury

With so many choices, it’s difficult to decide where to spend your dining dollars at Walt Disney World. Hopefully this list will narrow the field a bit for you.

Best For Families

Coral Reef Restaurant – Kid’s feel like the Little Mermaid at this one-of-a-kind dining room where just a trident’s throw away is Epcot’s Living Seas’ 6-million-gallon aquarium rife with coral reefs and sea life. And adults feel like Poseidon after just one bite of the restaurant’s stellar seafood and the oh-so-delicious pepper jack cheese grits.

50’s Prime Time Café – What kid doesn’t want to experience life way back when. They’ll get a fun dose of it at this Disney-MGM Studios’ restaurant. Dine on savory renditions of good old American comfort food watching Leave it to Beaver and Topper on black and white TVs sitting on the counter between the toaster and the blender. “Mom” herself is your server, making sure everyone in the “family” observes good manners.

Whispering Canyon Café – Honest-to-goodness, rib-stickin’ barbecued vittles served piping hot in an iron skillet is right up a wannabe cowboy’s alley at this fun-loving restaurant at the Wilderness Lodge. Come prepared for plenty of hootin’ and hollerin’ and please, whatever you do, don’t ask for the ketchup unless, that is, you like a lot of attention.

Best to Book Ahead For

California Grill - This sensational restaurant at the Contemporary Resort should be at the top of every visitors list. From exemplary sushi to the exceptional New American cuisine to sensational desserts and the outstanding California wine list each available by the glass, this place has it all. From its lofty heights diners can see the Magic Kingdom, the sparkling Seven Seas Lagoon, and, best of all, a picture-perfect view of the Wishes fireworks. Just try to time your meal around the fireworks and head outside to the super observation platform for a bird’s-eye view of the extravaganza.

Cinderella’s Royal Table – If there was ever a place to plan ahead for, this is it. Exactly 180 days prior to the anticipated day, countless parents rise at the crack of dawn to be one of the first to call for dining reservations. All just to insure that their darling little ones will be among the lucky few to be seated high atop Cinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom. If you don’t snag a reservation your children will never forgive you.

Victoria and Albert’s – Demand is high for this fantastic dining spot at the Grand Floridian Resort. Once you’ve secured your spot, just sit back and prepare to be wowed by tables set in Wedgewood china, Christofle silver, Frette linens, and Riedel crystal, and cuisine that will knock your socks off.

Best For Vegetarians

Victoria and Albert’s– Here is one place that vegetarians won’t feel short changed. A seven-course vegetarian menu, expertly overseen by the illustrious Chef de Cuisine Scott Hunnell, is offered nightly. It can’t get much better than that.

Boma - The essence of Africa is potent beneath Boma’s circular, thatched roof where hearty foods prepared with an African flair (and a dash of American cuisine for the picky eater) are the fare. An entire section (or pod) of meatless dishes with such items like vegetable lentil kofta, braised greens, vegetable skewers, and several kinds of exotic salads are par for the course.

Best Character Dining

Crystal Palace - Winnie the Pooh, and his friends, Eeyore, Piglet, and Tigger are your hosts in a sunlight-drenched, conservatory-style restaurant found at the castle end of Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. Here you’ll find a surprisingly good and bountiful buffet, definitely one of the better spreads in the park.

1900 Park Fare – At this popular spot at the Grand Floridian Resort is Mary Poppins, Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Alice in Wonderland, and the Mad Hatter for breakfast; in the evening hours the characters from Cinderella are in attendance. And the food is perhaps Disney’s best buffet.

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall - Those who love the idea of ethnic dining should try this atypical one housed at Epcot in a replica of Oslo’s Akershus Castle. Disney Princesses are in attendance at all meals and may include Belle, Ariel, Cinderella, Jasmine, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Mary Poppins.

Best Wine List

Citricos – This Mediterranean influenced restaurant at the Grand Floridian Resort is rightly proud of its global wine list, a Wine Spectator Restaurant Award winner. On the menu you’ll find a suggested wine to accompany each course.

Jiko – At the Animal Kingdom Lodge’s signature dining room you can order from the most extensive list of South African wines this side of Johannesburg. Also a Wine Spectator Restaurant Award winner, more than 65 of South Africa's boutique wineries showcase their vintages here.

California Grill – As if the spectacular food and the mind-boggling view isn’t enough, the outstanding California wine list is also exceptional with 100 wines offered by the glass.

Victoria and Albert’s – Yet again this, Disney’s most acclaimed restaurant, makes the cut, and has the distinction of being Disney’s only restaurant to receive the coveted Wine Spectator “Best of Award of Excellence”, with 700 selections on the menu and 4,200 bottles in its cellar.

Best Hip Scene

Todd English’s Bluezoo - There’s plenty of buzz surrounding this dreamy outpost at the Walt Disney World Dolphin where it’s worth the cost of dinner just to check out the stunning, underwater-like fantasyland dining room adorned with air bubble light fixtures, shimmery silver-blue organza curtains, and carpeting mimicking an expanding drop of water. But if dinner isn’t in your plans, the lounge here is just as cool where martinis and a raw bar are on order.

Raglan Road - It’s easy to imagine you’re in the heart of Dublin at Raglan Road, Downtown Disney’s newest restaurant and pub. Come in for a drink, a snack, or for a meal… whatever, just don’t miss this fantastic spot. Irish musicians provide authentic entertainment accompanied by delicious, contemporary Irish cuisine.

Cara Goldsbury is the author of The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World Resort. For more information visit her online at http://www.luxurydisneyguide.com

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